'I will be back - but not for a bit yet, I'm so sorry': Heartbreaking final tweet by Keith Chegwin as he dies aged 60 after a long battle with a lung condition

• e-mail

TV 'national treasure' Keith Chegwin died yesterday aged 60 after a secret long-term battle with an incurable lung condition.

The star died at home surrounded by his second wife Maria and two children Rose, who is married to White Lies frontman Harry McVeigh, and Ted who described him as a 'loving husband and father'.

His family today revealed he had been seriously ill for around six months with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He told fans in a heartbreaking final tweet in September: 'Still not right. I will be back - But not for a bit yet. I'm so sorry'.

'Cheggers' became a household name presenting Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop in the 1970s followed by Saturday Superstore in the 1980s. 

Keith Chegwin (pictured in 2016) has died today aged 60 after battling a 'long-term battle with a progressive lung condition'

'Cheggers' became a household name presenting Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop in the 1970s (pictured left on Get It Together in 1979 and right at home in 1980)

Noel Edmonds, pictured right, Chegwin's Swap Shop co-presenter, said: 'I've lost my first real telly chum and I'm certain I'm not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend'

Mr Edmonds, second left, said: 'He was a very generous performer. Keith was indeed larger than life but he never stole the spotlight'

Keith, pictured right, and Noel, pictured left starred on Swap Shop together. They are pictured with John Craven and Maggie Philbin

After a high-profile battle with alcoholism he relaunched his career on Channel 4's Big Breakfast knocking on celebrities' front doors in the mid-1990s crying: 'Wake up you beggars, it's Cheggers!'.

Co-host Chris Evans tweeted today: 'Very sad and shocked to hear of the passing of Keith Chegwin. The king of outside broadcast.' 

Most recently he appeared in Ricky Gervais' sitcoms Extras in 2006 and Life's Too Short in 2011. The Office star said today: 'So sad to hear about the death of the lovely & funny Keith Chegwin. RIP you National Treasure'.

He also appeared in Dancing on Ice in 2013 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.

His final pantomime performance was in Beauty and the Beast in March 2016 - with heartbreaking video showing the star breathless and struggling to speak while on stage during the production in Rhyl, Wales.

Mr Chegwin had been a smoker in the past. While smoking, exposure to pollution, acid reflux, some viruses and genetics can increase the risk of IPF the exact cause of the disease is not known. 

Keith was at the height of his fame in the 1980s as the star of Saturday Superstore (pictured in 1980) but put his career on hold while he battled alcoholism

Cheggers' last major TV performance was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 (pictured) and his health began to fail in the past year 

His poignant last tweet was in September this year and he told his fans: 'Still not right. I will be back - But not for a bit yet. I'm so sorry'

In a statement, the entertainer'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 December 11. 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.' 

Cheggers was suffering from Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) - a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.

The rare condition usually hits people in their forties and fifties who rarely survive more than five years from diagnosis.

Keith had been living in a Shropshire hospice having been told that there was not treatment, including a transplant, that could save him.

One person who came across him in hospital recently told MailOnline: 'I have never known, in my entire career, such an uplifting patient. His endless cheerfulness brightened the ward not just for patients but for staff too. He was bothered by patients, staff and visitors, an awful lot, but never turned anyone away or ignored them. He made and had time for everyone. Making people laugh you'd never thought he was so unwell'.

Mr Chegwin was previously married to Tomorrow's World presenter Maggie Philbin from 1982 to 1993 after meeting at the BBC.

She said in a statement on her website: 'It is incredibly sad. Keith was a one-off – full of life, generous and with a focus on things that mattered – his family. 

'I saw him two months ago at his sister Janice's wedding, where he was still attempting to be life and soul of the party despite being on portable oxygen and made sure he knew how much he meant to us all. 

'Our daughter Rose flew home from San Francisco to be with him over the last few weeks and I know he was surrounded by so much love from his second wife Maria, their son Ted, his sister Janice, his twin brother Jeff and his father Colin.

'Keith was loved by everyone who knew and worked with him. I first met him when we did a film about windsurfing when I joined Swap Shop in 1978 and was immediately struck by his fun, energy and kindness. 

'He drove me home to Leicestershire from that freezing lake in Staines, insisting it was on his own way home. (He lived in Twickenham). He leaves us all with very special memories'.

Keith Chegwin and his first wife Maggie Philbin with their newborn daughter Rose in 1988, who was at his side when he died last night

The larger-than-life character was known for his enthusiasm and laughter, shown here (far right) having stripped for a new Channel 5 game show: 'Naked Jungle' in 2000, later describing it as the 'worst career move' of his 'entire life'

Mr Chegwin had been a smoker in the past. While smoking, exposure to pollution, acid reflux, some viruses and genetics can increase the risk of IPF the exact cause of the disease is not known

Chegwin, known as Cheggers, started his career as an actor but became a household name as a TV presenter of shows such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore.

Keith Chegwin's battle with booze and support for Ant McPartlin

Keith Chegwin (right in 1978) spoke openly about his fight against alcoholism during an interview with daytime TV show This Morning in 1992.

The TV presenter has died aged 60 after a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, his family said.

Chegwin, who was 34 at the time of the frank interview, said: 'I am an alcoholic. It's a disease.'

He said his hectic work schedule led him into a downward spiral where he needed a drink to relax and help him sleep.

Chegwin told show hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan: 'I'm just frightened because, God, I could so easily pick up a drink.

'I was in the hotel last night. I would have loved to have sat in the bar and had a drink but I couldn't.

'The moment I have a drink, then bang I am gone. It won't be a couple of gin and tonics, it would be like two bottles.'

When Chegwin appeared on the show he had had two four-week spells in a drying out clinic.

He said he battled against the bottle by checking into a private clinic but started drinking as soon as he came out, adding: 'I just said, 'Oh sod it, I'll see if this clinic has worked or not and I'll just have one'. But the trouble is I can't just have one.'

Earlier this year the Swap Shop presenter tweeted his best wishes to presenter Ant McPartlin, who received treatment for depression and alcohol and substance abuse.

Chegwin wrote: 'My sincere best wishes to Ant @antanddec I know just how hard it can be. Be proud - you're a very brave and honest man. Good luck x.'

Stars from the world of entertainment have paid tribute to the TV presenter. 

Advertisement

He made no secret of his battle with alcoholism but staged a comeback in recent years when he was a regular on reality TV.

He took part in Dancing On Ice in 2013 and Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, when he came fourth and said that while his experience in the house had been a 'nightmare' from beginning to end, he 'actually quite enjoyed it'. 

Celebrities from the worlds of sport, business and entertainment posted messages online after the news broke.

TV presenter John Craven, who appeared on Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore with Chegwin, said: 'I never saw Keith without a smile. He was always bubbly, positive, full of fun.

'I first met him when he was 19 and he had just joined Noel Edmonds and I on the Saturday morning children's show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop.

'We were in a cosy studio while Keith was out on location in all weathers, doing his swapping with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of children and his genuine cheerful enthusiasm never left him. I couldn't believe how professional he was for one so young.

'We worked together for ten years and remained good friends, which doesn't always happen when strangers are thrust together on a television show. He was a master of the off-the-cuff remark and always made his job look so easy, whatever show he was doing, which is the true mark of a star on top of his game. Keith was much loved and will be much missed.'

Noel Edmonds, his Swap Shop co-presenter, said in a statement: 'I've lost my first real telly chum and I'm certain I'm not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend.

'Cheggers and I launched Swap Shop together. Yes, we had the wonderful broadcaster John Craven to keep us in line but it was the chemistry between myself and Keith that initially created the Swap Shop magic that enthralled millions of children every Saturday morning on BBC 1. Only those who've presented live television really know how difficult it is to make it look easy.

'I had the luxury of hosting the show from behind the desk in a warm studio but Keith was out on the road in all weathers. He was an extraordinary showman capable of entertaining a vast crowd of excited children during the long periods between his live contributions to the show.

'I never saw Keith flustered or lost for words. In fact now I think about it I never saw him upset or angry. I never heard Cheggers say a bad word about anyone. Like all true professionals he possessed the knack of reinventing himself time and time again.

'He was a very generous performer. Keith was indeed larger than life but he never stole the spotlight. He was an all-round entertainer- a very funny comedian and accomplished musician and singer. He was at his best on location, with a film crew chasing him and a member of the public about to be surprised on their doorstep.

'The greatest achievement for any TV performer is for the viewers to regard you as a friend and today millions will be grateful for Keith's contribution to their childhood memories and like me they will mourn the passing of a friend.' 

Cheggers had a long career in TV (left in 1982) first in children's TV and then breakfast TV (right on GMTV in 2002)

Keith relaunched his career after battling the bottle on the Big Breakfast (pictured with Zoe Ball and her mother in 1996)

Cheggers appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2013 and on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 - his last major TV appearance 

Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno said: 'Saddened to hear this, what a great guy! I worked with him a lot over the years, a great entertainer, you will be missed RIP Keith Chegwin.'

DJ Tony Blackburn said he was 'absolutely devastated' to hear of his friend's death, adding: 'He was one of the nicest people I have ever known and over the years we did shows together and became great friends.' 

Keith Chegwin and his son Ted pictured at a Bob the Builder Gala Charity Performance in 2002. His son and daughter Rose were with him when he died

Fellow all-round entertainer Les Dennis paid tribute to his former colleague, tweeting: 'So utterly devastated by the death of Keith Chegwin. Worked and laughed with him so much on Life's Too Short. Indeed it is my friend. RIP.'

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield tweeted: 'I'm so stunned to hear that the utterly lovely Keith Chegwin has died. Can't get my head round this. One of my original Saturday morning heroes. Sending all my love to his family.'

Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness added: 'Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin.'

Loose Women's Sherrie Hewson tweeted: 'So very sad to hear the news about Keith Chegwin. Lovely, talented man. RIP.'

Entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne said the entertainer was 'too young to go', calling the news 'so sad'.

TV presenter Gaby Roslin said‏: 'No. I can't bear the news. Not him. I was blessed to work with Keith Chegwin on the Big Breakfast and he was a happy and joyous man. So generous and kind. Bye, bye Cheggers. So, so sad. My love to his family.'

MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis said: 'Awful news about Keith Chegwin. Remember him with huge fondness from Swop Shop. Always an icon for people my age.' 

Heather Palin, deputy chief executive and director of care at Severn Hospice, said: 'Our thoughts are with Keith's family at this sad time.

'Everyone at the charity is proud of the care we provide to all of our patients and the support we are able to offer families when they need us most.

'I am sure it was a comfort to both Keith and his loved ones that he was able to be cared for at home by our specialist Hospice at Home nurses.' 

Most recently he appeared in Ricky Gervais' sitcoms Extras in 2006 (pictured) and Mr Gervais said today: 'So sad to hear about the death of the lovely & funny Keith Chegwin. RIP you National Treasure'

'Too much smoking probably': BBC worker is accidentally broadcast live to the nation sharing his views on the death of Keith Chegwin aged 60 

A BBC worker accidentally broadcast his views on the death of Keith Chegwin live on air after problems with the microphones.

The Corporation's 24-hour news channel planned a tribute interview after TV star Chegwin's death was announced, following his battle with a progressive lung condition.

BBC News presenter Martine Croxall was unable to speak to the 60-year-old's former colleague, John Craven, at the other end of the line, so they cut to the weather instead.

However, they experienced further technical problems - and instead of the weatherman's voice, viewers heard a man saying: 'too much smoking probably'.

The star died at home at around midnight surrounded by his second wife Maria and two children Rose and Ted

Social media users were quick to spot the distasteful blunder.

Phillip Godfrey tweeted: 'Did I just hear 'too much smoking probably' on @BBCNews from one of your producers when referring to Keith Chegwin? #badtaste'

And Gazza B wrote: 'Extremely ashamed at @BBCNews @BBCOne A tragic report that Keith Chegwin has sadly passed away from ongoing lung issues, only to hear a big gaffe as someone can be heard saying...'Too much smoking probably' #ShameOnYou' 

MailOnline has this afternoon contacted the BBC for comment.  

How darling of children's TV Keith Chegwin was a 13-year-old child star who became household name on Swap Shop before battling booze and relaunching his career 

Born in Walton, Liverpool, Keith, known to millions as Cheggers, started out as a child actor.

Keith 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 in 2013, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother both in 2015.

Chegwin rose to fame alongside Noel Edmonds on the hit Saturday morning children's show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop between 1976 and 1982.

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.

Keith Chegwin became a household name hosting Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore in the 1970s (Get It Together in 1979). He married co-star Maggie Philbin in 1982 but they divorced in 199

Keith Chegwin and Pat Coombs in 'Playbox' as his career was troubled by alcohol addiction

Keith with his broadcaster sister Janice Long, who he saw get married in September and was 'life and soul of the party'

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.

Keith Chegwin dances with Olga Sharutenko on ITV's Dancing on Ice in 2013

Keith Chegwin at the BAFTA Children's Awards in London in 2015. His final public performace came in panto in March 2016

In 2001, Chegwin launched a website venture which treated viewers to his own version of shows such as This Morning and The Generation Game.

His TV appearances were limited largely to reality TV and pantomime, appearing for in the final time on stage 18 months ago.

Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said that although IPF affects around 32,000 people in the UK, awareness of the disease is very low.

'Most people have never heard of it until they are in a room being diagnosed with the disease, which can be very confusing and frightening,' she said.

'The main symptoms include breathlessness, a persistent cough that will not go away and extreme tiredness. If anyone has these symptoms they should speak to their doctor.'

She added that IPF sufferers have a life expectancy of just three years after diagnosis.

'I can't bear the news. So generous and kind. Bye, bye Cheggers': Keith Chegwin's Big Breakfast co-star Gaby Roslin leads tributes to much-loved presenter

Tributes have been paid to the 'utterly lovely' TV presenter Keith Chegwin who has died at the age of 60 following a long illness.

The star, best known for hosting children's game show Cheggers Play Pop, died at home after battling a progressive lung condition.

Big Breakfast's Gaby Roslin led the tributes to the presenter today saying: 'No. I can't bear the news. Not him. I was blessed to work with Keith Chegwin on the Big Breakfast and he was a happy and joyous man. So generous and kind. Bye, bye Cheggers. So, so sad. My love to his family.'

Chegwin was previously married to fellow TV presenter Maggie Philbin, whom he had met on Swap Shop.

Chegwin was known for hosting programmes including children's game show Cheggers Plays Pop, as well as Swap Shop.

Celebrities from the worlds of sport, business and entertainment posted touching messages online after the news broke.

Broadcaster Tony Blackburn said: '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.'

TV presenter Philip Schofield tweeted: '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.'

BBC TV antiques expert David Harper said: 'Very sad to hear Keith Chegwin has died. I first met him ten years ago and last heard from him only a few weeks ago. He was just as you saw him on TV. Funny, friendly, warm and utterly charming.'

Comedian Paddy McGuinness said: 'Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin.'

Stars have paid tribute to their great friend Keith Chegwin who died last night aged 60

TalkSport presenter Geoff Peters tweeted: 'Sad news, taken too young. A huge part of our childhoods with Swap Shop and especially Cheggers Plays Pop. RIP.'

Boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: 'Saddened to hear this, what a great guy! I worked with him a lot over the years a great entertainer, you will be missed. RIP Keith Chegwin.'

NME journalist Nick Levine‏ added: 'RIP Keith Chegwin. I interviewed him once and he was really funny and self-deprecating. He also kept the interview going much longer than he was supposed to. A real pro.'

Meanwhile entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne said the entertainer was 'too young to go', calling the news 'so sad'.

Loose Women's Sherrie Hewson tweeted: 'So very sad to hear the news about Keith Chegwin. Lovely, talented man. RIP.' 

The Office star Ricky Gervais, who cast Chegwin in Extras and Life's Too Short, tweeted a tribute to the 'national treasure'.

He said: 'So sad to hear about the death of the lovely and funny Keith Chegwin. RIP you National Treasure.'

Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans tweeted for the first time in more than two months to pay tribute to Chegwin.

He wrote: 'Very sad and shocked to hear of the passing of Keith Chegwin. The king of outside broadcast.'

Fellow TV presenters Lorraine Kelly paid tribute, saying he was a 'kind, funny, brave man who seized the day'.

Actor Shaun Williamson, who appeared on the TV show Life's Too Short with Chegwin, tweeted: 'RIP Cheggers. Terrible news!! Such fond memories of working with him. Warm, funny, generous man taken far too soon.'

TV personality Rylan Clark-Neal added: 'Can't believe it about Keith . Such a lovely man at Big Bro and a great host Pleasure to have met him. RIP Cheggers x'