Keith Chegwin seemingly predicted he didn’t have long left in this world during one of his last ever interviews.
The TV favourite, whose death was sadly announced today by his family, revealed to OK! magazine that he was worried about his own life after the string of celebrity deaths in 2016.
Speaking to the magazine in May last year Keith listed David Bowie, Prince and David Gest amongst those who passed away in 2016 – a year that was apparently jinxed due to its high number of celebrity deaths.
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He went on to tell the magazine, “I’m worried. I’m having a panic attack as we talk. It could be me that’s next. But there won’t be any long compilation film on the news I promise you that.
“It will be in Pig Breeders Weekly you’ll hear about it.”
In a statement released today, Chegwin’s family revealed the star had lost his long battle with illness: “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 11th 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.
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“Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.”
Heartbreakingly, the TV legend tweeted fans at the end of September to say he wasn’t feeling right, but would be back soon.
Fans, celebrity friends and colleagues have all taken to social media to share their shock and heartache at Keith’s untimely death.