TELEVISION presenter Keith Chegwin who loved Worcester after city visits has died at the age of 60.

The star, best known for hosting children's game show Cheggers Plays Pop, died at home after battling a progressive lung condition.

The energetic and extroverted star performed acrobatic Kung Fu kicks and organised a screaming contest to drum up support for Worcester's multi-coloured Swap Shop when he entertained crowds outside the Guildhall in January 2008.

His antics drew a large crowd as they did on his Swap Shop broadcast at Worcester's County Hall in 1979.

A statement from his family 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 December 11. 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, known affectionately as 'Cheggers', decided to go beyond the call of duty with an impromptu comedy act outside the Guildhall in January 2008.

He had his audience in stitches as he cracked jokes about a man who performed Kung Fu kicks on live television and then realised he could have his incapacity benefits stopped.

A couple chuckled after he accused a man of taking pictures of other women behind his wife's back.

As the crowds began to swell he shouted out: "Get a free Cheggers t-shirt. I've only got 10,000 of these left."

Cheggers was distracted by the sight of the Ann Summers shop opposite the Guildhall and said: "I didn't realise Worcester was that sort of place."

Cheggers said he loved Worcester and added: "Someone just phoned me and said it would be great if I could get people to recycle their rubbish. Rather than throwing something away, give it to someone who might want it. It's a nice idea because it's so simple.

"Worcester is a fantastic part of the world - no-one gets offended when you take the mickey. I would even consider living here. Worcester is one of those places that has never lost its identity. I would not swap this place for the world."

The aim of the day, organised by Worcestershire County Council, was to stop people throwing away their Christmas presents and find them a new home instead, preventing rubbish from going into landfill.

He started his career as an actor but became a household name as a TV presenter of shows such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore.

He made no secret of his battle with alcoholism but staged a comeback in recent years when he was a regular on reality TV.

He took part in Dancing On Ice in 2013 and Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, when he came fourth and said that while his experience in the house had been a "nightmare" from beginning to end, he "actually quite enjoyed it".