A love of practical joking and trivia was matched only by the tireless campaigning for charity by Jeremy Beadle, the television presenter who died yesterday, and, who raised an estimated £100m for good causes in his lifetime.

Best known for his practical joking television programme, Beadles About, he died from pneumonia aged 59. Beadle leaves a wife and four children, and also the many recipients of the fundraising he did for Children With Leukemia, a disease he himself suffered from in 2005.

He was a trust patron of the Philip Green Memorial Trust, and annually hosted a quiz party to raise money for disadvantaged children. He was also patron of Reach, an organisation providing support and advice for children in the UK with hand or arm deficiencies, and their parents; he was born with Poland Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which stunted growth in his right hand.

He spent much time raising money for many different charities with Plastermind, his “outrageous quiz for those who don't like quizzes.”

In the 2001 New Year Honours, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to charity.