British TV and radio stars pay tribute to Keith Chegwin

British stars from the world of TV and radio have paid tribute to small screen legend Keith Chegwin.
The family of 60-year-old Keith, who was affectionately known as Cheggers, confirmed the sad news on Monday (11Dec17). He passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted by his side in the early hours of Monday.
“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,” they said in a statement to the Press Association.
“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, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.”
Liverpool-born Keith is best known for his work on BBC shows Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop, and Saturday Superstore. He also famously hosted Channel 5 game show Naked Jungle in the nude, as well as making appearances on Ricky Gervais’ sitcom Extras, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef.
British TV personalities took to Twitter to pay tribute to Chegwin, including This Morning’s Phillip Schofield, who wrote, “I’m so stunned to hear that the utterly lovely @keithchegwin has died. Can’t get my head round this. One of my original Saturday morning heroes. Sending all my love to his family.”
Lorraine Kelly added, “Very sad to hear about the death of Keith Chegwin. A kind, funny, brave man who seized the day,” and Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness wrote, “Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin.”
Radio DJ Tony Blackburn also added his condolences: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear that my friend Keith Chegwin has died.He was one of the nicest people I have ever known and over the years we did shows together and became great friends. Keith RIP.”