TV presenter Keith Chegwin has died at the age of 60 following a long illness, his family has said.
The star, best known for hosting children’s game show Cheggers Play Pop, died at home after battling a progressive lung condition.
A statement from his 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 became a household name hosting Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore.
Born in Walton, Liverpool, the star, known to millions as Cheggers, started out as a child actor.
In later years he took part in shows such as Dancing On Ice, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother.
Chegwin rose to fame alongside Noel Edmonds on the hit Saturday morning children’s show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop.
He also fronted his own hit show Cheggers Plays Pop in the 1970s and 80s.
“People always say ‘you must regret doing Cheggers Plays Pop’, but I say ‘No, I had some fantastic times’,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
He disappeared from TV screens for a number of years during a well-documented battle with alcohol.
But he made a comeback as a host of Channel 4’s Big Breakfast in the 1990s.
Chegwin controversially bared all in Channel Five’s Naked Jungle, later describing it as the “worst career move” of his “entire life”.
As an actor, Chegwin appeared in films, TV dramas and adverts.
He enjoyed roles in films including Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Macbeth and in 2004, Shaun Of The Dead.
He was also a well-known face on GMTV.
In 2001, Chegwin launched a website venture which treated viewers to his own version of shows such as This Morning and The Generation Game.
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