Keith Chegwin was laughing right to the end of his life, according to his sister Janice Long.
Keith passed away from a progressive lung condition in December 2017 and now Janice has spoken out about Keith's final days in order to raise awareness of the condition.
The Scouse comic died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), when he was just 60 years old - reports Mirror Online.
Janice said of Keith, who passed away two years ago on December 11th: "He was joking right until the end of his life. He was making the nurses laugh.
"Even though he was ill, he came to my wedding in September, three months before he died.
"I told him, 'You don't have to come to the wedding.'The disease was so rapid, but he insisted and he made the guests laugh."
The telly favourite, who was raised in Liverpool with his twin brother Jeff and sister Janice, was diagnosed with IPF in late 2017.
Known for his roles on Cheggers Plays Pop, Saturday Superstore, Naked Jungle, and Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Janice told the Daily Express that Keith's diagnosis came as a surprise because he was "such an active person".
She said: "When he told us he had IPF it was such a shock. After that, he rapidly declined. Within weeks he was in a wheelchair and had to sleep downstairs.
"The family was amazing and in the last days of his life it was all hands on deck. The nurses would come in and stay overnight.
"He knew he was going to die. I had never known him watch daytime TV in his life but he was so ill and mostly just sleeping.
"But he was joking right until the end. He told us all how much he loved us and how much he was going to miss his family."
DIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS: LUNG CONDITION WITH NO CURE
Around 6,000 people a year are diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the disease that killed Keith Chegwin.
According to the British Lung Foundation the disease causes fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs, which makes them stiffer so it is difficult to breathe.
As in Chegwin's case, IPF worsens over time. Its cause is unknown and there is no cure.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, a cough that does not go away and "clubbing" in the fingers and toes - a change in the size, shape and texture of the nails.
Around 85% of people diagnosed are over 70, and men are more at risk.
Smoking, exposure to certain pollution, acid reflux, some viruses and genetics may increase the risk.
Treatment can alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking, exercising and eating a balanced diet can help the shortness of breath.
Medication can slow the growth of fibrosis. In some cases a lung transplant may be recommended.
