Keith Chegwin's ex wife Maggie Philbin pays tribute to man who was 'the life and soul of the party' despite being on 'portable oxygen'
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Keith Chegwin's ex-wife and former TV co-star Maggie Philbin has paid tribute to the man she called a "one-off" after it was confirmed the 60-year-old died following a "long-term battle with a progressive lung condition".
The 62-year-old former Swap Shop presenter was married to Keith between 1982 and 1993 and last saw him just two months ago at his sister Janice's wedding.
She explained that her former husband of 11 years was still trying to be the "life and soul" despite his failing health.
"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," she wrote in a lengthy statement posted on her official website.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
She started the tribute: "I am sure you will have seen the heartbreaking news about Keith who died earlier today.
"It is incredibly sad. Keith was a one-off - full of life, generous and with a focus on things that mattered - his family."
She continued: "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."
(Image: Grab)
(Image: Grab)
She also shared the touching story about how they first met while on Swap Shop in 1978.
"I first met him when we did a film about windsurfing when I joined Swap Shop in 1978 and was immediately struck by his fun, energy and kindness," she wrote.
"He drove me home to Leicestershire from that freezing lake in Staines, insisting it was on his own way home. (He lived in Twickenham).
"He leaves us all with very special memories."