TV presenter Beadle dies aged 59

Jeremy Beadle was best known for playing practical jokes on TV

Television presenter and prankster Jeremy Beadle has died aged 59.

One of ITV's most popular hosts during the 1980s, he was admitted to hospital last week suffering from pneumonia.

He was best known for fronting You've Been Framed, Game For a Laugh and Beadle's About, but raised millions for the charity Children with Leukaemia.

Former You've Been Framed producer Dianne Nelmes said he was known for his pranks, "but in reality he was the kindest person you could ever meet".

Work rate

Mr Beadle, who was born in Hackney, east London, leaves behind his wife Sue, daughters Cassie and Bonnie, and his stepchildren Leo and Claire.

In his heyday, he regularly attracted television audiences of 15 million for Beadle's About and You've Been Framed.

I loved and admired him and I shall miss him desperately Henry Kelly Obituary: Jeremy Beadle 'Wonderful man' remembered

But in recent years he had battled poor health after being diagnosed with a mild form of leukaemia in 2005. He also had a cancerous kidney removed.

He attracted funds for Children with Leukaemia all through his life and is thought to have raised more than £100 million for all charities.

In 2001 he was awarded an MBE.

Mr Beadle was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, but this did not lessen his work rate.

In autumn 2007 he released three books, and he had been working on ideas for television programmes when he fell ill.

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Henry Kelly, who co-presented Game For A Laugh with Mr Beadle, said: "Jeremy and I were firm friends for nearly 30 years.

"I loved and admired him and I shall miss him desperately."

Noel Edmonds said the pair enjoyed a "friendly rivalry" when Mr Beadle presented Game For A Laugh and he hosted the Late Late Breakfast Show.

He added: "I am so shocked at the news. I didn't realise he was so ill.

"He was a consummate professional but also a greatly misunderstood man - a great TV talent who was never truly appreciated.

Eddie O'Gorman, Children with Leukaemia's founder, added: "Jeremy was not only a close personal friend and an extraordinary entertainer, he was one of the most dedicated supporters this charity has ever seen.

Michael Cohen, chairman of MPC Entertainment, Mr Beadle's agents, said the star was "one of the biggest TV stars in reality television, and raised many, many tens of millions of pounds for charity, and I am sure that's what he would like to be remembered for.

"He was a fantastic human being, a very close friend and he will be greatly missed."

Paul Jackson, ITV's director of entertainment, said: "We are incredibly saddened to hear the news and our sympathy goes to Jeremy's family."