TV star Dale Winton left his entire £2.1million fortune to a married top BBC executive

TELLY favourite Dale Winton left his entire £2.1 million fortune to a married top BBC exec.

The Supermarket Sweep star, who died last April aged 62, passed his whole estate to Mark Linsey, the Beeb's Chief Creative Officer, and his family.

Dale, who was godfather to Linsey's three children, also made sure his friend was also given his holiday home in Sarasota, Florida.

And he asked for his ashes to be placed with his mother, who took her own life in 1976 after suffering with depression.

Dale's instructions were left in a two-page handwritten will.

Figures released by the probate registry in Brighton showed he left a total of £2.22 million, reduced to £2.16 million after his affairs were settled.

He also asked Linley to leave unnamed gifts to three other pals.

The much-loved National Lottery presenter's sudden death left the showbiz world shocked and in mourning last year.
Friends told how the star had battled depression in recent years.

And close pal, radio DJ Steve Allen, revealed Dale had sold his £2.6 million private mews house in Regent's Park, central London, a month before his death.

Instead he had moved into a rented home opposite a DIY shop on a main road in suburban Whetstone, North London.

Dale started out as a DJ before moving into television, and hosted the ITV show Supermarket Sweep between 1993 and 2001.

He also presented the National Lottery show In It to Win It for 14 years, and in 2008, the series Hole in the Wall.

Dale was the presenter of Pets Win Prizes and The Other Half, and played himself in the hit movie Trainspotting.

Winton was presented with Michael Aspel’s famous red book when he was the guest star of This is Your Life in 2000.

He once said, “There is one particular person, a married TV celeb, who I adore.

"I know I could make them happy, but we are destined to stay the best of friends, and that kills me inside.”

He also said, “We met on the set of an ITV show. I won’t name them because it isn’t fair.

"I would never kiss and tell. I think they know how I feel about them, and their other half definitely suspects something, but sadly my love is unrequited.”

Linsey began as a producer for the BBC, working on An Audience with Freddie Star, and as a researcher on Top Gear before Jeremy Clarkson’s arrival.

He later rose to become BBC TVs controller of entertainment, followed by the top job at the Beeb.

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