Keith Chegwin’s untimely death due to a debilitating chronic lung disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis! Know about this British TV personality and his illness!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: shahid | In Career , Health

Celebrity Big Brother 2015

English presenter Keith Chegwin was a great name in the British television industry.

He had famously hosted several popular shows such as Cheggers Plays Pop and Multi-Coloured Swap Shop. He was just 60 years old when we lost him due to a chronic lung condition.

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The premature death

December 11, 2017, was a cruel day in the industry of British television since it snatched away one of the most eminent and greatly loved TV personalities, Keith Chegwin.

Keith Chegwin was battling a chronic lung condition and it had worsened over the last year. He was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Many of his fans were unaware that Keith was suffering from this ailment. He died in his sleep and his family released a statement to announce the same.

It 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 11^th 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.”

Keith Chegwin's family issued the following statement to @PA following his death pic.twitter.com/8phGKWboJj
— PA Entertainment (@PAshowbiz) December 11, 2017

His heart-breaking tweet

Just a few months before this tragic death, on 28 September 2017, Keith had tweeted a heart-rendering message which read:

“Still not right. I will be back-But not for a bit yet. I’m so sorry.”

He had apologized to them for not having tweeted for a long time.

The tributes to the loved one

Keith had shortness of breath and a dry cough. His lungs were unable to take in an adequate amount of oxygen from the air for his body’s needs. Hence he was on portable oxygen.

His ex-wife TV presenter Maggie Philbin (1982-1993) tweeted tributes to him:

“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.”

His sister Janice, twin brother Jeff, and father Colin were also present by his side. The co-presenter Noel Edmonds paid homage to Keith thus:

“I’ve lost my first real telly chum and I’m certain I’m not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend.”

This Morning host Phillip Schofield also sent his tributes via Twitter.

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 😢
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) December 11, 2017

Presenter McGuiness wrote:

“Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin.”

Loose Women’s Sherrie Hewson wrote”:

“So very sad to hear the news about @keithchegwin lovely talented man RIP.”

Katie Price, Bobby Davro, and Ricky Gervais were some other personalities who tweeted their condolences to Keith Chegwin.

About Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung condition in which scar tissue develops in the lungs. The cause is not known and hence ‘idiopathic’.

It is supposed that viruses, exposure to certain specific dust types, and smoking could lead to it. There is shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, weight loss, and muscle and joint aches.

Source: Medscape Reference (X-ray of chest in IPF) — Source: Medscape Reference (X-ray of the chest in IPF)

Blood tests, imaging, and lung biopsy diagnose the condition. There is no cure but certain drugs can slow the progress of the disease.

Dr. Penny Woods, The British Lung Foundation Chief, states:

“Awareness of the condition is still staggeringly 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. 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.”

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