The title says it all really.

Jeremy Beadle MBE was a man that millions grew up watching, that many were inspired by.

Maybe it was through the utterly brilliant pranks that he used to help play on the nation from the confides of ITV, or even his charity work – it’s estimated he helped to raise over £100 million for charities – even his glamour model photography that he did in his youth.

He even put on the Bickershaw Festival in 1972 that attracted artists such as The Grateful Dead, Captain Beefheart, Hawkwind, The Kinks and Wishbone Ash. A teenage Elvis Costello was so awe struck by what he saw in the muddy fields, that he made plans to make his own band.

Colin Murray even said last night on Radio 1 that he had a hand in creating the Isle of Wight festival – yes, that one with Hendrix, if I heard correctly. The more you learn about the man, the more incredible his tales become.

Just like many situations in life, sometimes you don’t realise how good you’ve got it until it has gone. Jeremy Beadle had a tough childhood, was written off by his school and battled illness through his life, but still managed to be – whether by choice or not – an incredibly important cog in the wheel of music and entertainment.

This isn’t an obituary; it’s merely a statement of heartfelt thanks for being an incredible entertainer and a truly iconic figure for many throughout the world.