Thursday 19 April 2018

'I pray he has found peace': David Walliams leads tributes to Dale Winton - who lost both his parents early in life and battled with depression - as 'sensitive soul with a touch of naughty' dies aged 62

  • TV presenter and Supermarket Sweep host has died at home at the age of 62
  • The circumstances of the star's death have not been revealed by his agent
  • Police are not treating death as suspicious, but have launched an investigation
  • He had depression following the deaths of his parents when he was young
  • Famous friends lead chorus of tributes, with David Walliams sharing memories 
David Walliams says he prays his friend Dale Winton 'has found peace' after the troubled TV star's death yesterday.
The Supermarket Sweep and National Lottery presenter died aged 62 at his home in north London, two years after he revealed he was battling depression.
Police are investigating the circumstances of his 'unexplained' death, but say it is not being treated as suspicious. 
Winton had a difficult childhood with his parents divorcing when he was ten. His father died on the day of his bar mitzvah.
Just days after his 21st birthday, Winton found the body of his mother, who had depression and died after taking an overdose, leaving a do-not-disturb sign on her bedroom door.
Close friend Walliams wrote online: 'He devoted his life to making everyone else happy... even though he found it hard to be happy himself. I pray he has found peace.' 
David Walliams has led celebrity tributes to his close friend, daytime TV legend David Walliams
David Walliams has led celebrity tributes to his close friend, daytime TV legend David Walliams
Walliams recalled a series of hilarious episodes from times he spent with Winton
Walliams recalled a series of hilarious episodes from times he spent with Winton

Walliams also shared some of his favourite photos of Winton with his Twitter followers
Walliams also shared some of his favourite photos of Winton with his Twitter followers
Little Britain star Walliams also recalled some of his favourite memories of Winton, in a series of tweets accompanied by his favourite pictures of the star.
Walliams wrote: 'Dale was the best company, always outrageous & hilarious. He adored being in show business & loved meeting fans. 
'One night Dale & I were going out to dinner & he stopped off on the way to buy diet lemonade from a corner shop.
'He was in there about 20 minutes. When he finally got back in the car I asked 'what took you so long?' & he said 'sorry David I am very big with the Indian communi

One afternoon Dale & I were out shopping & some policeman were standing on the street corner.
'He gave them a huge wave & called out 'hello loves, hello darlings!' I asked why he was saying hello. He replied 'always wave at policemen David. You never know when you might need one!'
'Dale's ideal man was Omid Djalili.
'One night Dale was driving me home from dinner when a big group of lads from Newcastle on a stag night saw him & shouted 'Dale!'
'Dale turned to me & said 'it is such a shame you are here or I would have them all straight back at my house with their trousers around their ankles!'.'  Dale with his parents Sheree and Gary Winton at his third birthday party. His father died when he was 10 and he discovered the body of his mother when he was 21
Dale with his parents Sheree and Gary Winton at his third birthday party. His father died when he was 10 and he discovered the body of his mother when he was 21
The Supermarket Sweep host passed away at his home earlier on Wednesday
The Supermarket Sweep host passed away at his home earlier on Wednesday

 The star's agent announced the TV favourite had died at his home earlier on Wednesday.
His long-term agent Jan Kennedy announced in a statement to the Press Association: 'It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today.
'While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief.' No further details were announced.
Concerns had been raised for Winton's welfare after he missed Cilla Black's funeral in 2015.
Appearing on Loose Women in 2016, he revealed he had been going through a secret battle with depression after a difficult break-up.
He added: 'Money wasn't the main thing. It was the series of In It To Win It that we were filming, and we had three episodes to go but people were saying, 'He doesn't look well'.
'I had a very bad year. I should have taken myself off the TV.
'Five years I went through it. I wanted to withdraw. If you've never had it, you'll never understand it. It was triggered by a very bad break-up. God, I can't half pick em! People are amazed at my taste.' 

Leading the tributes: Davina McCall led tributes to Dale Winton on Wednesday, following the shocking news of his death at the age of 62. Pictured together in September 2005
Leading the tributes: Davina McCall led tributes to Dale Winton on Wednesday, following the shocking news of his death at the age of 62. Pictured together in September 2005
Leading the tributes: Davina McCall led tributes to Dale Winton on Wednesday, following the shocking news of his death at the age of 62. Pictured together in September 2005
Davina McCall was among some of TV's most famous faces who paid tribute to Winton
Davina McCall was among some of TV's most famous faces who paid tribute to Winton
After Cilla Black's death, he said: 'Cilla was a dear and close friend. Above all she was the most loyal person a friend could have. 
'She was wonderful to be around, and caring, kind and happy. She was also a brilliant wife and mother. She was a true star and a genuine national icon.' 
Another of Winton's friends, Davina McCall, was one of the first to pay tribute, writing: 'I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty! RIP.' 
Jonathan Ross added: ‏'Dale Winton was a real sweetheart. Lovely man. Sad to hear the news.'
Graham Norton wrote: 'Dale Winton gave me the best bit of showbiz advice I ever got - Don't quit the hit! Thank you Dale. X' 
Dale Winton meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance in  2001
Dale Winton meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance in 2001
Dale Winton with Cilia Black in 2009. Winton described her as one of his dearest friends
Dale Winton with Cilia Black in 2009. Winton described her as one of his dearest friends
Scores of other celebrities posted messages expressing their condolences.  
Julian Clary wrote: 'Terribly sad to hear the lovely Dale Winton has died. Kind, sweet, truthful man.'
Frank Bruno added: 'Very sad to hear that Dale Winton has passed away, to to young, my thoughts are with his family.' 
Jack Whitehall tweeted: 'Desperately sad news about Dale Winton. A really funny and kind person gone too soon, RIP.' 
Duncan Bannatyne added: 'RIP the great entertainer Dale Winton. So young as 62.' 
Sky News presenter Kay Burley wrote: 'RIP Dale Winton. He was 62.' 
Les Dennis wrote: 'So sad and shocked to hear that Dale Winton has died. He was a lovely,warm man who posed charm. RIP.'  

Ant McPartlin's estranged wife Lisa Armstrong revealed that she was 'gutted' at hearing the news, as she'd seen him just days ago. 
The makeup artist wrote on the micro-blogging platform: 'Absolutely gutted, only saw him last week. He was one of life's true gentleman, a heart of gold with a wicked sense of humour... RIP lovely man x'  
Winton moved out of his Regent's Park flat three weeks ago, according to one local.
'There was a for sale sign and then white removals vans. It was just at the start of the month,' said Ian Grant, who manages the house opposite to where Winton lived.
'He was always very pleasant, saying 'hello' in the street, no matter what time of day,' added the 84-year-old.
'He had a Range Rover and a Bentley parked outside, with personal 'DW' number plates. He had been there for years. At least 17 years.
'You could always tell when he was in, because he had such a loud voice. He didn't particularly have parties or lots of people over though.
'I'll always remember him as a very pleasant man, and I'm just sorry I didn't get to say goodbye.'
Dale Winton, the popular gameshow host perhaps best known for Supermarket Sweep, has died at the age of 62.
He was a household name in the mid 1990s and early 2000s while fronting shows such as Supermarket Sweep and The National Lottery : In It To Win It, but had kept a low profile in recent years.
Winton was born in Marylbone, London , in May 1955 to Gary and Sheree, an actress.  
His parents divorced when he was 10 and his father died three years later on Winton's bar mitzvah.
Just days after he turned 21, Winton discovered his mother, who he adored, had died after taking an overdose.
His career in showbusiness began when he worked as a DJ on the London club scene before he moved into work in radio and television.
His big break came with Supermarket Sweep, which saw contestants racing around a supermarket collecting items.

Winton was born in Marylbone, London, in May 1955 to Gary and Sheree, an actress
He hosted the show from 1993 to 2001, and was involved in a 2007 reboot.
From there, Winton moved onto prime-time shows including The National Lottery's In It To Win It and went onto host his own Christmas specials as well as celebrity guest shows.
In his 2002 autobiography he came out as gay.
In recent years the once prolific star disappeared from TV screens and in an interview earlier this year he claimed he was keeping a low profile after undergoing several rounds of surgery.
In 2015 he sparked concern after failing to attend the funeral of Cilla Black, who was one of his closest friends.
Just days after he turned 21, Winton discovered his mother, who he adored, had died after taking an overdose
kIt is unclear whether Channel 5 will air the latest episodes of the new series
A year later, he appeared on TV's Loose Women and revealed he had been secretly battling depression after going through a difficult break up.
He told the show: 'I should have taken myself off the TV but I didn't. Listen, there are worse things in the world - but I had depression and I didn't realise.
'I always thought, 'get over yourself'. But my mum died of it. It exists and anybody out there who has had it knows it exists. I didn't want to put one foot in front of the other but for a couple of really good friends.'
Earlier this year he was back on our screens, hosting Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive on Channel 5.
However, only one episode aired in February after the network decided not to show the remainder of the series following the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The other episodes were due to air in June, Channel 5 said.
Winton's agent confirmed his death today at the age of 62.

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