Keith Chegwin dead at 60
Keith Chegwin during the Celebrity Big Brother Final in 2015. Getty Images

TV legend Keith Chegwin has died at the age of 60 following a "long-term battle with a progressive lung condition," his family has announced. Chegwin was best known for 80s children's favourite Saturday Superstore and morning news show GMTV.

According to a statement from his family, his illness "rapidly worsened towards the end of this year" and he died at his home on Monday (11 December). His family were by his side, and are said to be "heartbroken".

His first wife, Maggie Philbin, said: "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."

Chegwin began his career as an actor in the late '60s and early '70s, during which time he appeared in the pilot British comedy classic Open All Hours, The Liver Birds and The Adventures of Black Beauty.

He then moved into presenting programmes such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and '80s family favourite Saturday Superstore, during which he would host outside broadcasts around the country.

His career took a turn in the late '80s and early '90s due to his battle with alcoholism - which he wrote about in his semi-autobiographical book Shaken But Not Stirred. In the mid '90s he bounced back however, appearing on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast as an outside broadcaster before later presenting the show.

In 1999 he presented a revival of It's A Knockout for Channel 5, and spent six years with ITV morning show GMTV.

In 2000 he hosted game show Naked Jungle, appearing naked save for a hat. He would later describe making the show as "the worst career move I made in my entire life".

His later career was defined by more self-aware, self-deprecating roles. He was one of the extras in Ricky Gervais comedy Extras, playing a foul-mouthed, bigoted version of himself, and later appeared on follow-up series Life's Too Short opposite Shaun Williamson and Les Dennis.

He's enjoyed several appearances on celebrity reality shows, finishing fourth on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 and taking part in Celebrity Masterchef later that same year. He's also appeared on The Chase and Pointless Celebrities.

In 2012 he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Reality TV Awards.

Keith Chegwin is survived by second wife Maria, whom he married in 2000, his two children and sister Janice Long.