Who was Jeremy Beadle? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In April

Also Known As: Jeremy James Anthony Gibson-Beadle

Died At Age: 59

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Sue Marshall (m. 2004–2008)

mother: Marjorie Beadle

TV Presenters Radio Personalities

Died on: January 30, 2008

place of death: London, England

City: London, England

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

T V & Movie Producers

British Men

Male Tv Presenters

British TV Presenters

Childhood & Early Life

Jeremy James Anthony Gibson-Beadle was born on April 12, 1948 in Hackney, London, England. His father, a sports reporter, had abandoned his mother, Marji, after learning she was pregnant. His mother worked as a secretary to raise Beadle.

In childhood, he suffered from Poland syndrome and was frequently hospitalised. He did not enjoy school and was expelled from Orpington County Secondary Boys' School where he was enrolled for his secondary education.

He travelled throughout Europe and had a number of jobs before he was asked by Time Out’s founder to help develop a Manchester edition of the magazine.

He next organised the Bickershaw Festival for North West Arts Association in 1972 and worked on a number of musical events after that. The following year, Beadle was chosen by Campaign for Real Ale to host their first television or radio coverage on BBC Radio London.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Male Media Personalities

British Media Personalities

British Radio Personalities

British T V & Movie Producers

Writing Career

Jeremy Beadle wrote the animated series ‘Today's the Day’ for the newspaper ‘Daily Express.’ His series was published in UK in 1979 and in US in 1981. He served as the editor of ‘The People's Almanac 2.’

He was one of the biggest contributors to the death and sex chapters of ‘The Book of Lists.’

In 1995, he wrote a collection of theories titled ‘Who Was Jack the Ripper?’ about the Victorian serial killer which was published by the famous true crime book seller Camille Woolf.

In autumn 2007, Beadle published three books, namely, ‘Beadle's Miscellany,’ ‘Firsts, Lasts & Onlys: Military,’ and ‘Firsts, Lasts & Onlys: Crime.’

Recommended Lists:

British Film & Theater Personalities

Aries Men

Radio & Television Career

Jeremy Beadle started his radio and television career with game shows like ‘Celebrity Squares.’ During 1979 and 1980, he hosted ‘Nightline’ on LBC in London.

In May 1980, he started co-presenting ‘Fun Factory’, a children's TV show, alongside his LBC co-star Therese Birch, Billy Boyle, and Kevin Day.

He presented a music show titled ‘Beadle's Odditarium’ on Capital Radio. In 1986, he served as a presenter of ‘Beadle's Brainbusters’ on a radio network. This was followed by a BBC2 television series titled ‘The Deceivers’ which he also wrote.

From 1990 to 1997, Beadle presented the family show ‘You've Been Framed!’ that featured funny clips from the public’s home video recordings. During this time, he also presented a short-lived yet popular show on Talk Radio UK.

Major Works

Jeremy Beadle garnered national recognition as one of the presenters of ‘Game for a Laugh,’ the first ever show made by ITV. The show revolved around practical jokes, either in game-type formats executed within the studio or as elaborate set-ups on members of the public.

Family & Personal Life

From February 2004 until his death in 2008, Jeremy Beadle was married to Susan Maria Marshall. The couple had two children.

In 2004, Beadle was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The following year, he was found to be suffering from a type of leukaemia as well. He was successfully treated for both the conditions.

On 25 January 2008, he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and was placed in a critical care unit. He eventually died five days later, on 30 January 2008, at the age of 59.

Jeremy Beadle Biography