Pop Buzz UK

Jeremy Beadle, the man best known for being a notorious television prankster, has sadly died of pneumonia in hospital at the age of 59. Beadle had previously battled cancer of the kidney, and then leukaemia, both of which he fought and beat, but died in hospital after contracting pneumonia and being admitted to hospital earlier this week.

The TV funnyman leaves behind wife Sue, daughters Cassie and Bonnie, and stepchildren Leo and Claire.

Beadle was born in Hackney, east London in 1948. He had an unsettled childhood, having to spend multiple times in hospital being treated for a rare genetic disorder called Poland syndrome. This condition stunted growth in his right hand, a disability for which he was mocked in later life.

He started a writing career after a number of different jobs came to nothing, and a career on radio and television beckoned. When he was young, he provided material for stars such as Terry Wogan, Noel Edmonds and Kenny Everett.

He became a well known celebrity in his own right after becoming a presenter on Game for a Laugh, where alongside Matthew Kelly, Henry Kelly and Sarah Kennedy, he would set members of the public up in small pranks.

Then came the height of his powers as he fronted You’ve Been Framed, and Beadle’s About. The former was a video clips show which highlighted funny camcorder moments, a format which has now travelled around the world, and also contributed to sites such as YouTube. The latter was the show most people will remember him for, as he was the main protagonist as ordinary members of the public were set up by friends and family.

His radio career included stints at BBC 2, 3, and 4, LBC, Capital and Talk Radio. I used to be an avid fan of his Sunday night show on Talk Radio, which was nothing like I’ve heard on radio before or since.

In recent years, Beadle became a big supporter and campaigner for charities, a fact recognised when he received an MBE in the 2001 new year’s honours list.

He said of the award:

“I was quite moved to be honest. My eyes welled up. I’ve always done charity stuff for my own reasons, and quite selfish reasons. I like to make a difference. It’s very easy just to sit back and feel sorry. Well, I hate that, I hate pity. So I turn it into something very positive. It’s very selfish. It’s actually stopping me from feeling pity.”

He may have been mocked in some circles, but I will remember Jeremy Beadle as a great presenter who brought new and original (at the time) formats to both TV and radio. He will be sorely missed.

Jeremy Beadle, Pneumonia, UK, Brit, British, You’ve Been Framed, Beadle’s About, Poland syndrome, YouTube, MBE