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Keith Chegwin on Extras: Fans remember TV host's skit with Ricky Gervais

Beloved TV presenter received praise for his appearance on the show

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 11 December 2017 10:31 EST
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Keith Chegwin with Ricky Gervais on Extras
Keith Chegwin with Ricky Gervais on Extras (BBC/HBO/Youtube)

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Keith Chegwin fans are remembering the TV host after his death aged 60.

Known for hosting programmes including It's A Knockout, Cheggers Plays Pop and Swap Shop, Chegwin - known as 'Cheggers' - he also appeared on the likes of Dancing With The Stars, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef.

But among his most memorable appearance- one that many fans have been resharing as news of his death emerged - was his time working with Ricky Gervais on the show Extras.

"He is one of the most generous performers I've ever met," Chegwin said of Gervais, recalling in one interview how the comedian had called and asked if he could act. "If he writes a line that's funny, he will give you the line instead."

Sending himself up on the show, Chegwin "got drunk, stripped naked and was immediately hired by satellite TV".

In a bloopers reel, show-makers revealed how the pair struggled to film the moment because Chegwin kept making Gervais laugh.

Charlie Hanson, who worked on Extras, paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "Shocked and saddened to hear the news of Keith Chegwin's death. Will remember the fun he brought making Extras and Life's Too Short."

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