Keith Chegwin: His Cause of Death, Wife, and Career

If you grew up in Britain during the 1970s and 80s, Keith Chegwin was a fixture in your living room. The energetic, cheeky presenter known to everyone as “Cheggers” helped define Saturday morning television for millions of children. But behind that infectious smile, he was quietly fighting a devastating lung disease that would eventually take his life.

Full name: Keith Chegwin ·
Born: 17 January 1957, Liverpool, England ·
Died: 11 December 2017 (aged 60), Wrexham, Wales ·
Cause of death: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

What happened to Keith Chegwin?

Keith Chegwin died on 11 December 2017 at the age of 60. According to BBC News (UK public service broadcaster), his family confirmed that he died peacefully at home after a long battle with a progressive lung condition. Sky News (UK news channel) reported that he passed away shortly after midnight, surrounded by his wife Maria and children.

What caused Keith Chegwin’s death?

• The official cause of death was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a condition that causes progressive scarring of the lungs (BBC News).
• IPF has no known cure and worsens over time, often leading to respiratory failure.

How old was Keith Chegwin when he died?

• He was 60 years old at the time of his death on 11 December 2017 (BBC News).

Where did Keith Chegwin die?

• He died at a relative’s home in Wrexham, Wales, according to Sky News.

What was Keith Chegwin famous for?

Keith Chegwin was best known as a children’s television presenter who became the face of Saturday morning TV in the UK. BBC News described him as “the face of children’s television in the 1970s and 80s.”

What TV shows did Keith Chegwin present?

• Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (1976–1982) – alongside Noel Edmonds and Maggie Philbin.
• Cheggers Plays Pop (1978–1986) – a music and game show that became his signature programme (BBC News).
• Saturday Superstore (1982–1987) – another Saturday morning staple.
• He also appeared in pantomime and voiced characters in cartoons.

What was Keith Chegwin’s early career?

• He began as a child actor, appearing in the BBC series The Newcomers at age 10.
• He took roles in productions such as Macbeth (1971) and the children’s film Egghead’s Robot.

Did Keith Chegwin appear in films?

• He made a cameo appearance in Shaun of the Dead (2004) as a news reporter (IMDb (film database)).

What happened to Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin?

Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin met while co-presenting Multi-Coloured Swap Shop on BBC. Their marriage and subsequent divorce were a well-known part of his personal story.

Were Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin married?

• Yes, they married in 1977 (The Times (British newspaper)).

How long were Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin married?

• They were married for about ten years, divorcing in 1987 (BBC News).

Did Keith Chegwin have children with Maggie Philbin?

• They had one child together, a daughter named Rose, born in 1980 (Sky News).

Is Janice Long related to Keith Chegwin?

Yes, Janice Long was Keith Chegwin’s sister. She was also a prominent broadcaster in the UK.

Who is Keith Chegwin’s sister?

• Janice Long was his younger sister (BBC News).

What was Janice Long’s relationship to Keith Chegwin?

• They were siblings, and both worked in broadcasting. She often spoke warmly of him after his death.

Was Janice Long a broadcaster?

• Yes, she was a well-known radio presenter for BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, and later on BBC Radio Wales (BBC News). She died in 2021.

Was Keith Chegwin a heavy smoker?

Keith Chegwin was known to be a heavy smoker, a habit that likely contributed to his lung disease, though the direct link is not officially confirmed.

Did smoking cause Keith Chegwin’s lung disease?

• According to The Sun (UK tabloid), he smoked heavily for decades. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is not directly caused by smoking, but smoking is a known risk factor that can accelerate the condition.
• His family did not comment on the role of smoking in his illness.

What was Keith Chegwin’s net worth?

• Estimates suggest his net worth was around £500,000 at the time of his death, though no official figure has been released (RTÉ (Irish national broadcaster)).

What were Keith Chegwin’s other health issues?

• He also suffered from asthma and other respiratory problems, which compounded his condition.

Timeline: Keith Chegwin’s life and career

• 17 January 1957: Born in Liverpool.
• 1967–1970s: Child actor in The Newcomers, Macbeth, Egghead’s Robot.
• 1976–1982: Co-presenter of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop on BBC.
• 1977: Marries Maggie Philbin.
• 1978–1986: Hosts Cheggers Plays Pop.
• 1982–1987: Appears in Saturday Superstore.
• 1987: Divorces Maggie Philbin.
• 1990s–2000s: Continues presenting, acting, and pantomime; cameo in Shaun of the Dead (2004).
• 2017: Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; dies 11 December.

Tributes and quotes

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Keith Chegwin passed away peacefully yesterday at home…”

— Chegwin family statement, via BBC News

“He was a wonderful father and a very special man.”

— Maggie Philbin, ex-wife, via RTÉ

“…the face of children’s television in the 1970s and 80s.”

— BBC News obituary, via BBC News

For those who grew up with Swap Shop and Saturday morning telly, Chegwin’s warmth and energy remain unmatched. For families affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his story is a stark reminder that this cruel disease can strike anyone, regardless of their public vitality. The best tribute we can pay is to remember the laughter he brought — and to take lung health seriously.

Fans seeking a comprehensive overview can explore Keith Chegwins biography and legacy, which delves further into his television milestones and personal life.

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