TV presenter Beadle dies of pneumonia

TV presenter Jeremy Beadle has died after a short battle with pneumonia, his agent said today.

His wife Sue and close friends were at his bedside.

The star, best known for the shows 'Beadle’s About' and 'You’ve Been Framed', leaves his wife, daughters Cassie and Bonnie, and step children Leo and Claire.

In a statement, Beadle's agent, Nick Canham of MPC entertainment, said: "Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Sue, his two daughters, Cassie and Bonnie and his stepchildren Leo and Claire. He will be greatly missed."

As a stalwart of ITV for many years, Beadle regularly pulled in UK television audiences in excess of 15 million for 'Beadle’s About' and 'You’ve Been Framed'.

Beadle, who was 59, was a significant fundraiser for Children with Leukaemia throughout his life and is estimated to have raised more than £100m (€134.15m) for charities of all description.

Beadle was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, but never allowed the condition to affect him.

Last autumn, he released three new books, and prior to his illness he was working on a series of television formats.