TV presenter Keith 'Cheggers' Chegwin has died aged 60 after a "long battle" with a progressive lung condition.

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 11 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."

Vintage TV: Cheggers Plays Pop

Starring in shows such as Cheggers Plays Pop, Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, and Saturday Superstore, he rapidly became a household name, and his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from celebrities and fans alike.

His first wife, TV presenter Maggie Philbin, said she was "heartbroken" and he was "still attempting to be life and soul of the party despite being on portable oxygen" during his sister's wedding two months ago.

She revealed he was surrounded by "so much love" from his second wife Maria, their son, his sister, twin brother Jeff and his father, Colin, and his daughter who flew over from San Francisco.

Radio DJ Tony Blackburn told Sky News he will miss Chegwin's childish sense of humour.

Fellow broadcaster 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.

"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."

John Craven, who appeared on Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore with Chegwin, said he first met him when he was 19.

He said: "I never saw Keith without a smile. He was always bubbly, positive, full of fun."

Still not right. I will be back - But not for a bit yet. I’m so sorry — Keith Chegwin (@keithchegwin) September 28, 2017

Chegwin started out his career as an actor after being spotted by Phil Collins' mother, June Collins, as a child.

He appeared in several children's TV shows and ads, including for Pepsi and Cadbury Creme Eggs.

He also appeared in Roman Polanski's Macbeth, playing Banquo's son.

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. — Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) December 11, 2017

Very sad to hear about the death of Keith Chegwin. A kind, funny, brave man who seized the day. — Lorraine (@reallorraine) December 11, 2017

Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin. pic.twitter.com/IFL7TujE9b — Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) December 11, 2017

In the mid 1970s he moved away from acting and became a household name as he presented programmes such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop.

In the 1980s, he presented Saturday Superstore.

He and Swap Shop co-presenters Noel Edmonds and his first wife released the pop single, I Wanna Be a Winner, which reached number one in 1982.

Image: Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin in 1980

During the late 1980s and 1990s his career petered off due to alcoholism, which he detailed in semi-autobiographical book Shaken But Not Stirred.

Following an appearance on This Morning in 1992, he stopped drinking and managed to reboot his career.

He joined The Big Breakfast in 1993 when he presented Down Your Doorstep in which he cried: "Wake up you beggars, it's Cheggers!". Soon after, he went on to present the show.

Image: Keith Chegwin hosted several TV shows, including It's A Knockout

Chegwin also presented a revived version of the 1970s gameshow It's A Knockout on Channel 5.

However, not all of his shows were a success. Wearing just a hat, Chegwin presented the nudist game show Naked Jungle, which he would later admit was "the worst career move" in his life.

He was also a mainstay on GMTV, appearing on the breakfast programme for seven years from 2000.

Image: Keith Chegwin was a household name

In 2012 Chegwin was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the National Reality TV Awards.

Chegwin's final appearance on TV was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, followed by Celebrity Masterchef in the same year.

He did not have a manager or an agent and anybody could email him.

Over the past 50 years, Chegwin appeared in numerous pantomimes, with his last, Beauty And The Beast, in March 2016.