Keith Chegwin Biography: Movies, Wife, Age, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Children, Books, Cause of Death

Keith Chegwin was a British actor, television presenter, and singer who became one of the most recognizable faces on United Kingdom television through his energetic and cheerful screen persona.

He first achieved national fame in the 1970s as a host of the popular children’s programs Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop, which made him a hero to a generation of young viewers.

His career began as a child actor, appearing in prestigious stage productions and films, including a notable role in Roman Polanski‘s Macbeth.

Throughout several decades, he demonstrated remarkable professional resilience, transitioning from children’s television to reality programs and acting roles in acclaimed series like Extras.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Keith Chegwin
• Nickname: Cheggers
• Date of Birth: January 17, 1957
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Walton, Liverpool, England
• State of Origin: Merseyside
• Nationality: British
• Profession: Television Presenter and Actor
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches
• Weight: 72 kg
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Brown
• Parents: Colin Chegwin and Margaret Chegwin
• Siblings: Janice Long and Jeff Chegwin
• Spouse: Maria Fielden
• Children: Rose Chegwin, Ted Chegwin
• Relationship Status: Married (at time of death)
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White British
• Net Worth: $1,500,000

Early Life and Education

Keith Chegwin (deceased) was born on January 17, 1957, in Walton, Liverpool.

He grew up in a household that encouraged creative expression; his twin brother, Jeff Chegwin, became a music executive, and his sister, Janice Long, became a pioneering radio broadcaster.

His early years were defined by a swift entry into the entertainment industry after he entered a talent competition in Rhyl.

This led to him being scouted for professional work while he was still a young child, eventually moving to London to attend specialized training.

He attended the Barbara Speake Stage School in London, where he was a contemporary of future stars such as Phil Collins.

During his time at the stage school, he balanced his academic studies with professional acting assignments in the West End and in television commercials.

He did not pursue traditional university education, as his career was already firmly established by his late teens.

Personal Life

Keith Chegwin was married to Maria Fielden at the time of his death.

The couple married in 2000 and had one son together, Ted Chegwin.

He was previously married to fellow television presenter Maggie Philbin, with whom he hosted Multi-Coloured Swap Shop.

They married in 1982 and had a daughter named Rose Chegwin before their divorce was finalized in 1993.

Despite their separation, Chegwin and Philbin maintained a professional and amicable relationship in the following years.

Career

Chegwin’s career began with acting roles in films like Roman Polanski’s Macbeth (1971) and The Optimists of Nine Elms (1973).

He became a household name in 1976 when he began hosting Multi-Coloured Swap Shop alongside Noel Edmonds.

This success led to his own show, Cheggers Plays Pop, which ran for nine years.

After a career lull in the 1990s, he staged a successful comeback as a roving reporter for The Big Breakfast and later hosted the controversial but high-rated game show Naked Jungle.

In the 2000s, he parodied his own “faded celebrity” image to great acclaim in Ricky Gervais‘s series Extras and Life’s Too Short.

He also became a staple of reality television, participating in Dancing on Ice in 2013 and reaching the final of Celebrity Big Brother 15 in 2015.

His final years involved frequent appearances on Celebrity MasterChef and ongoing work in musical theater and pantomime.

As of 2026, his legacy continues to be celebrated through retrospectives of British television history.

Awards

• Winner Lifetime Achievement Award – National Reality TV Awards (2015)
• Nominee Best Presenter – BAFTA Children’s Awards (1980)

Net Worth

Keith Chegwin had an estimated net worth of $1,500,000 at the time of his passing.

His wealth was built through four decades of continuous work in television presenting, acting, and public appearances.

Death

Keith Chegwin died on December 11, 2017, at the age of 60.

He passed away at his home in Shropshire following a long-term battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition.

His death was met with widespread tributes from colleagues and fans across the British media industry, who remembered him for his relentless positivity and professionalism.

Controversy

The most significant controversy of Chegwin’s career occurred in 2000 when he hosted the one-off Channel 5 game show Naked Jungle.

The program featured contestants and Chegwin himself appearing entirely nude while navigating an obstacle course.

The show was heavily criticized by politicians and media watchdogs for its content.

Chegwin later described the project as the biggest mistake of his career.

Additionally, his public admission of his struggle with alcohol in the early 1990s was a major media talking point at the time, though it ultimately led to a more sympathetic public perception of him.

Social Media

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Filmography

• Macbeth (1971)
• The Optimists of Nine Elms (1973)
• Robin Hood Junior (1975)
• Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (1976-1982)
• Cheggers Plays Pop (1978-1986)
• Saturday Superstore (1982-1984)
• The Big Breakfast (1993-1998)
• Naked Jungle (2000)
• Extras (2006)
• Kill Keith (2011)
• Life’s Too Short (2011)
• Dancing on Ice (2013)
• Celebrity Big Brother (2015)
• Celebrity MasterChef (2015)

Discography

• I Wanna Be A Winner (1978)

Books

• Shaken But Not Stirred (1995)