Dale Winton was seen ‘laughing and joking’ with pals in London restaurant just days before his death
DALE Winton was seen having a meal with pals while laughing and joking just four days before his death.
The TV legend was at a local London restaurant, where he was said to stay for a few hours with friends.
The 62-year-old suddenly died this week, after reports his health was failing in recent months, but appeared to be in good spirits while dining out.
A waiter who served the star on April 14, : "He'd come here a few times over the last couple of weeks. He was a nice guy, very down-to-earth and polite.
"He was here on Saturday night with two friends. They [were] here for a few hours.
"But he looked to be in good health. He was laughing and joking with his friends and they were having a good time."
He described the much-loved presenter as a "gentleman" and said he had made a good impression during a few visits to the restaurant.
Just days later long-term agent Jan Kennedy announced the star's shock death on April 18 after he was found collapsed at his home.
She 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."
Although cops have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious, they want to look into the circumstances.
Dale was found collapsed at his North London home at 4.10pm yesterday afternoon and pronounced dead soon after.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: "Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 4.10pm to an address on High Road Whetstone following the death of a man aged in his 60s.
"The death remains unexplained at this early stage but police are not treating it as suspicious."
The popular Supermarket Sweep star, 62, had told a pal shortly before his death that he "hated ageing" and had "had enough."
Speaking in what has become one of his final interviews, Dale revealed he had taken time out of the limelight to deal with his health.
He told the TV Times in January: "I’ve kept a low profile because I had about four surgeries.
"I had a shoulder problem and a knee problem, so I took a break to get myself sorted.
"It meant I couldn’t exercise, so I’ve been dieting like crazy, but then when I was asked to do this show I thought it would be fun."
Neighbours told how the star looked unwell in the weeks leading up to his shock death.
Flowers left outside Winton's former home today paid tribute to him as "the kindest man I knew".
Neighbour Iain Grant, 84, said it was clear to see that Winton's health was failing him.
He said: "He moved earlier this month and when I saw him go I realised that his health wasn't quite right, he did not look that great.
"He lived alone as far as I know, there were just a few cleaners who used to come in."
Showbiz pals immediately took to social media to describe their sadness at his loss,with comedian David Walliams writing he was "heartbroken".
Walliams, who featured Dale in comedy series Come Fly With Me, tweeted: "Dale was the best company, always outrageous and hilarious.
"He adored being in showbusiness and loved meeting fans.
"He devoted his life to making everyone else happy, his friends, the public and his godsons, even though he found it hard to be happy himself."
Friend Davina McCall said she was "so so so sad" to hear of his death, calling Dale "a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty!"
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