Who was Dale Winton and what was the Supermarket Sweep star’s cause of death?
SUPERMARKET Sweep star Dale Winton was one of the most successful prime-time TV presenters up until his death in 2018.
Here we take a look into the life and death of Dale Winton - including the presenter's career highlights and showbiz success.
How did Dale Winton die?
In April 2018, Dale Winton was found dead at his new home in North London - sparking false rumours that he had taken his life.
Confirming the news of his death, Dale’s long-time agent, Jan Kennedy said: "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."
A month later, in May 2018, Dale’s close friend Gloria Hunniford, revealed that Dale had died alone in his bed after suffering ill health and rubbished claims that the star had taken his life.
Gloria said: "I just think it's so sad when people say he took his own life. So many people have said, 'It's such a shame he committed suicide'.
"But he didn’t. He did not commit suicide and I'm keen to set the record straight."
In the wake of his passing, the office of Jan Kennedy said "that the coroner investigating the death of Dale Winton has found death by natural causes".
The Supermarket Sweep star was laid to rest with a Humanist Service in London on what would have been his birthday.
David Walliams, Martine McCutcheon, and Christopher Biggins were among those who attended the service, which included a performance of One Love by boyband Blue and an impersonation of Winton courtesy of Jon Culshaw.
How old was Dale Winton?
Dale Winton was born on May 22, 1955, in London.
At the time of his death, the TV personality was 62 years old.
Following his passing, Channel 5 has paid tribute to the life and career of the presenter.
Titled The Dale Winton Story: One of a Kind, the programme features home footage, while there are also interviews with close friends and family, including actress Claire Sweeney, impressionist Jon Culshaw, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, and his godsons.
Viewers can tune into the televised tribute on Saturday, March 16, 2024, on Channel 5 at 8.40pm.
When did Dale Winton come out?
Dale Winton came out as gay when he finally felt comfortable enough to make the admission in his 2002 autobiography, Dale: My Story.
On his decision, the late star said: “The truth – it’s absolutely the truth – is that no one ever asked me.
"I did countless interviews over the years and I was always waiting for the question. It never came.
“It became a game, the ambiguity of it all. And I’m not a banner-waving gay guy, because I actually don’t believe it’s important.’’
What did Dale Winton do after he left TV presenting?
The star had been largely absent from the public eye from the early 2000s onwards.
In 2015, he was spotted looking disheveled and was notably missing from his best friend Cilla Black's funeral, sparking concern.
The following year, in June 2016, Dale revealed to the Loose Women panel he had been going through a secret battle with depression after suffering a difficult break-up.
In November 2016, fans were then left worried after Dale appeared to vanish entirely from TV.
He was last seen presenting In It To Win It in April 2016, but it transpired that the episode had actually been recorded back in the summer of 2015.
Dale did return to TV in early 2018 to host Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive and admitted then that ill health had forced him to take a long break from television.
What illness did Dale Winton have?
The Supermarket Sweep star was left unable to leave his house in 2016, before telling Loose Women that he should have taken a career break to concentrate on his mental health.
He said: ‘’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.
He added: “I had a bad break-up and then I had health issues. I wanted to withdraw but you know what this business is like.”
The broadcaster also suffered heartache at the age of 21 when his mother Sheree took her own life - which he blamed on her battle with depression.
Sheree had raised Dale alone from when he was aged nine - after his dad died on the day of his son’s bar mitzvah when he was 13.
What TV shows did Dale Winton host?
Dale Winton was a familiar face on TV screens during the 1990s.
He hosted Supermarket Sweep from 1993 to 2001 and was involved in a reboot in 2007.
The show was such a hit, that Dale even starred in a dance video featuring his catchphrases and an epic disco beat called Will You Dance With Me, which was released in 1994.
He also hosted Touch the Truck, Stars Reunited, Celebrity Fit Club, and Hole in the Wall.
From 2005 until 2010 he regularly hosted The National Lottery: In It To Win It game show.
Between 2002 and 2016 he presented In It To Win It.
He returned to screens in 2018 to host Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive for Channel 5.
It saw him travel 1,500 miles across Florida - checking out the sights and attractions of one of America's most popular states.
When did Dale Winton "marry" Nell McAndrew?
In 2003, Dale "married" model Nell McAndrew in a spoof wedding in front of an audience of celebrity guests.
His close friends Graeme Souness and Cilla Black acted as best man and maid of honour and the press were also invited to the event.
The public were left a little confused until it emerged that the ceremony was staged for a BBC documentary on the culture of celebrity weddings.