Entertainer Ted Rogers dies

TV presenter Rogers was once a Butlins Redcoat

TV presenter Ted Rogers - best known for presenting quiz show 3-2-1 with sidekick Dusty Bin - has died in London aged 65.

The star died on Wednesday morning in St Thomas's Hospital, where he was being treated for heart problems, his agent said.

Rogers: Was due to perform in America later this year

Rogers had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat six months ago, and fell ill again several days ago.

The wise-cracking presenter had been due to perform in America with his friend Jackie Mason later this year.

He also shared a stage with many of the stage and screen legends such as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Shirley Bassey during his lifetime.

Rogers' agent of the past decade, Phil Dale, said the presenter died at 6am.

Ted was a truly delightful man. He was one of the most genuine of game show hosts

Vernon Lawrence
Yorkshire TV

"Around six months ago he wasn't feeling very well and saw the doctor who sent him for tests," he said.

"He was put on a course of medication. Then a few days ago he was feeling very ill and he was sent to St Thomas's."

Mr Dale said he understood the comic was having, or had undergone, surgery to repair a heart valve.

Rogers found his biggest TV fame on 3-2-1, in which contestants had to solve a series of cryptic clues to land rewards such as dream holidays - and avoid the booby prize Dusty Bin.

Instead of a catchphrase, the star developed a hand gesture in which he counted down the figures as he said the show's name.

Continued working

The show was made by Yorkshire Television and ran from 1978 to 1987.

Rogers, lived in Haslemere, Surrey, and had two teenage children from his second marriage to Marion.

The presenter also had two children from his first marriage, to childhood sweetheart Marge.

Mr Dale added: "He continued working and has always done his summer seasons - last year he was in Weymouth.

"He also did panto every year and did the cruises. But this year he was due to work with his old friend Jackie Mason instead of doing panto and they were going to do an old Vaudeville-type act in America."

'Delightful'

"He worked with many of the greats, stars like Sinatra, Hope and Crosby."

Vernon Lawrence, who was head of entertainment at Yorkshire TV and executive producer of 3-2-1, said: "Ted was a truly delightful man. He was one of the most genuine of game show hosts and the 3-2-1 audiences particularly loved him because of the warm way he treated losing contestants.

"He made the show a massive hit and even when it ended it was still very high in the ratings thanks to his contribution."

John Whiston, Yorkshire TV's director of programmes, said: "YTV is saddened to hear of the death of Ted Rogers.

"For all of us who grew up watching 3-2-1 and for all the staff here who worked on the show Ted brought fantastic humour and energy into our lives."

He has recently been seen in the credits for ITV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, alongside Dusty Bin, bemoaning the show's success.

Along with other presenters Nicholas Parsons, Jim Bowen, Tom O'Connor and Henry Kelly he performed a short slot for the Alliance & Leicester.