1.5million miles spreading his Christian message

Comedy magician Steve Legg has died, 17 months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The performer last year wrote a book, The Last Laugh, about how his Christian faith and sense of humour helped him in the aftermath of his diagnosis.

In January, his wife Bekah wrote on Woman Alive: ‘It all began when we discovered a dark mark on the sole of his foot. What I initially thought was something he had stood on turned out to be melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. 

‘In April 2023, after numerous surgeries and failed treatments, we were told that the cancer had spread to Steve’s brain, stomach, liver and spine; that there were only palliative options left. So, it was time to call the life insurance company and make a claim because, in all likelihood, Steve only had five to six months to live.’

In the end he had a year longer than that.

Legg had been a performer since 1988 and used his talents to spread his Christian message, and is said to have covered 1.5 million miles on the road.

In 2008 he established Sorted, described as ‘the UK’s most wholesome men’s magazine’, and was also a podcaster on the faith-based Pure247 radio station.

The station’s chief executive Andy Berry broke the news, saying: ‘Our beautiful friend, Steve Legg, passed away last night to glory… It just doesn't feel real.

‘This radio station has his DNA infused into it with his love, support, wisdom and encouragement and we were planning to meet up again the day before he was rushed to hospital.

‘My tribute to Steve and Bekah? I'm going to keep putting one foot in front of the other, loving people and laughing as much as I can through life to share joy with others where I can.

‘And I'm gonna keep pressing forward towards Jesus, pushing on to the prize of being heaven on earth, as Steve did every single day. His is a life worth celebrating.’

Sam Hailes, editor of Christianity magazine, said: ‘Steve Legg was an amazing man. He gave me some of my very first opportunities in journalism, and I will always be grateful for that. He was an encourager, and an evangelist. Full of fun, laughter and mischief!’

And in a tribute on Premier Christianity, evangelist Carl Beech wrote: ‘Behind his flamboyant shirts, constant and relentless one-liners and humorous glint was a ferociously creative and passionate mind. Whenever we met to discuss some idea or other, he would have remarkable clear-sightedness and wisdom, backed up by years of experience.

‘His presence gave me confidence and without him, I would not have been as effective. It was a fantastic double act and one I will greatly miss.’

Published: 17 Sep 2024