Dale Winton dies at 62: Tributes to Supermarket Sweep host - 'a generous soul with a touch of naughty'
Dale Winton, the television presenter best known for hosting Supermarket Sweep, has died at the age of 62.
The star's agent announced the TV stalwart, whose broadcasting style was described as making the mundane seem magical, died at his home on Wednesday.
Winton became a household name with game shows such as Supermarket Sweep and National Lottery show In It To Win It.
Winton's long-term agent, Jan Kennedy, announced in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home.
"While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief."
Tributes to 'generous soul with a touch of naughty'
TV stars shared their disbelief at the news of Winton's death and paid tribute to the presenter.
Davina McCall said he was "a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty".
I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton �� a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty ! RIP ����
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) April 18, 2018
David Walliams, the comedy actor, alluded to Winton's battle with depression as he said he "found it hard to be happy himself".
Dale was the best company, always outrageous & hilarious. He adored being in show business & loved meeting fans. He devoted his life to making everyone else happy, his friends, the public & his godsons, even though he found it hard to be happy himself. I pray he has found peace.
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) April 19, 2018
Walliams went on to share two anecdotes about Winton on Twitter.
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 community!’
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) April 19, 2018
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!’
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) April 19, 2018
Craig Revel Horwood, the Strictly Come Dancing judge, referred to Winton's trademark tan in a Twitter tribute.
So sad to wake up to the news that Dale Winton had passed. It was said we both shared the same tanning salon which we both dined out on. RIP gorgeous man. You’ll be missed terribly.
— Craig Revel Horwood (@CraigRevHorwood) April 19, 2018
Danny Baker, the comedy writer, described Winton as "an unassuming gentle man, lively company, a pleasure to write for".
Dear me. Goodnight Dale. An unassuming gentle man, lively company, a pleasure to write for. I will henceforth always salute your regular spot outside Pat Val's Marylebone High Street. God Bless.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) April 18, 2018
Singer Boy George said he was "shocked", posting a message on Twitter saying Winton "was a sweet man".
Shocked. Yes, I knew Dale. He was a sweet man. R.I.P. https://t.co/BY66UHVTvl
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) April 18, 2018
Piers Morgan said Winton was a "warm, funny man and superb TV presenter".
RIP Dale Winton, 62.
Very sad news. A warm, funny man & superb TV presenter. pic.twitter.com/nZwxbjVD5c— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 18, 2018
TV star Paddy McGuinness described Winton was "the perfect host".
Sad news. Back in the day Supermarket Sweep was the programme to watch. Dale Winton was the perfect host, he made it all look effortless. RIP pic.twitter.com/RW5r3qDs9N
— Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 18, 2018
Antony Costa, the Blue singer, said Winton was one of the most kindest men you could ever meet".
No no no my old friend #dalewinton has died I’m absolutely devastated one of the most kindest men you could ever meet...#RIPdalewinton xxx
— Antony Costa (@AntonyCosta) April 18, 2018
Julian Clary, the comedian, described Winton as a " kind, sweet, truthful man".
Terribly sad to hear the lovely Dale Winton has died. Kind, sweet, truthful man.
— Julian Clary (@JulianClary) April 18, 2018
Nell McAndrew, who married Winton in a BBC3 spoof, posted a picture of the couple on their happy day.
She wrote: "Dale Winton was always warm and kind. Special memories of a lovely man, often bumped in to each other in the supermarket or on the high street as neighbours before sharing an extra special day together for our 'wedding'.
"Thoughts with his family and friends. Lovely, handsome kind man."
A post shared by Nell McAndrew (@nelliemcfitness) on Apr 18, 2018 at 3:37pm PDT
Kate Phillips, controller of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, said: "Dale was an immensely well-loved individual who brought a wonderfully unique and special energy to the many programmes he presented over the years.
"He was extremely kind, brilliantly funny and was a true gentleman. It is incredibly sad news that he is no longer with us. All our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."
Winton's battle with depression after 'bad break-up'
In 2015, Winton sparked concern after failing to attend the funeral of Cilla Black, who was one of his closest friends.
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."
A career that took him from club DJ to national fame
Winton was born in Marylebone, 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.
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.
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.
Supermarket Sweep to Dale's Great Getaway: Winton's game shows
From Supermarket Sweep to the National Lottery's In It To Win It, here is a round-up of Winton's gameshows.
Supermarket Sweep
Supermarket Sweep was perhaps Winton's most famous show and catapulted him to fame.
It saw contestants split into three teams of two, each starting with a clock with 60 seconds on it.
The teams then attempted to add as much time as possible to the clock by answering questions posed by Winton.
This was followed by the Big Sweep round, which saw contestants racing around a supermarket collecting shopping items.
Whoever filled their trolley with items of the most value won the chance to enter the Super Sweep round.
Supermarket Sweep originally ran from 1993 to 2001 before a 2007 reboot.
Touch The Truck
In 2001, Winton fronted Channel 5's Touch The Truck, which tasked a group of 20 contestants with staying in contact with a stationary vehicle.
Whoever kept hold of the truck the longest, won it.
The endurance show was filmed at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex.
National Lottery: In It To Win It
Winton hosted the National Lottery's In It To Win It for 18 series between 2002 and 2016.
The programme saw five contestants battle it out for the chance to win up to £100,000.
The show included the Saturday night Thunderball and Lotto draws.
We are very sad to hear of the passing of Dale Winton, an iconic National Lottery presenter and our much-loved friend and colleague. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. #RIPDaleWintonpic.twitter.com/qrmZjG36PB
— The National Lottery (@TNLUK) April 19, 2018
Show Me What You've Got
Dutch production company Endemol chose Winton to host their programme Show Me What You've Got in 2006.
The programme did not receive a full series.
Hole In The Wall
Winton returned to the BBC in 2008 to present Hole In The Wall.
The show saw players trying to manoeuvre themselves through cutout holes of varying shapes in a large wall moving towards them as they stood in front of a swimming pool.
Hole in the Wall had two teams made up of celebrities and they competed for £10,000 prize money which they donated to their chosen charity.
Winton hosted the first series but was replaced by Strictly Come Dancing's Anton du Beke for the second series.
Dale's Great Getaway
In 2012 Winton hosted the one-off Dale's Great Getaway on ITV.
It featured three families competing in a series challenges to try to win up to £15,000 and a holiday.