Keith Chegwin dead: Veteran TV presenter and entertainer dies aged 60

'The true test of a Briton is whether or not he knows who Keith Chegwin is,' comedian David Mitchell once wrote

The TV presenter and entertainer Keith Chegwin has died following a “long-term battle with a progressive lung condition”, aged 60.

In a statement, Chegwin’s family said: “We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.”

“Keith died peacefully at home shortly after midnight on the 11th of December. His wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted were by his side.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Hospice for the kindness, support and care they have shown us all over the last few weeks.”

“Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.”

Chegwin was known for hosting children’s programmes in the 1970s and 80s, including Cheggers Plays Pop and Swap Shop. He would later go on to take part in celebrity versions of MasterChef, The Chase, Dancing on Ice and Big Brother (where he had a spat with columnist Katie Hopkins) and give a self-effacing role playing himself in Ricky Gervais’s Extras.

The entertainer was also a panto stalwart, appearing on productions of Aladdin, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Mother Goose up and down the country.

On 28 September, he tweeted: “Still not right. I will be back – But not for a bit yet. I’m so sorry.”

Comedian David Mitchell once wrote in a newspaper column: “The true test of a Briton is whether or not he knows who Keith Chegwin is.”