Annabel Giles dies aged 64

Broadcaster Annabel Giles has died aged 64 her family have announced.

The television and radio presenter passed away four months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

A regular face on television in the 1980s her first job in TV was on Tyne Tees Television’s youth music show Razzmatazz, where she was tasked with making over one of the audience members as a lookalike pop star.

She got her first main presenting role with ITV company Television South in 1989 hosting Help Squad. She became a regular celebrity participant on LWT’s You Bet! as well as appearances on shows such as games Give Us A Clue (Thames Television), Through the Keyhole (Yorkshire Television) and Win, Lose or Draw (STV).

In the 80s and 90s, she was the fashion expert for BBC One children’s magazine series Going Live! which led to Giles hosting the fashion series Posh Frocks And New Trousers for ITV. Other hosting jobs saw her as a co-host on Derek Jameson’s chat show Jameson Tonight (Sky One) and as host of BBC One’s topical comedy format It’s Later Than You Think.

Annabel wrote and presented Home Stately Home, as well as improvised three series of modern manners comedy strand The Done Thing, both for This Morning (Granada Television). She was one of four original continuity presenters on Challenge TV.

She also appeared in a couple of music videos alongside soon-to-be-husband Midge Ure in 1984, following a number of years working as a model. Annabel and Midge married in 1985, however, it was a short union that ended in divorce four years later. They had a daughter, Molly. Annabel never remarried but she had a second child named Tedd. In recent years Annabel made several appearances on Channel 5 documentaries as well as a stint a decade ago in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Chris Donat, Michael Parkinson and Mike Hayley with Annabel Giles and Jan Rowland

You Bet!, Christmas 1992, ITV/LWT

In a statement released today by her children, they noted that Annabel had died at Martlets Hospice in Hove on Monday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our incredible mother, Annabel Giles, who passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon at Martlets Hospice in Hove. In July, Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma, a fast-growing and highly aggressive malignant brain tumour.

“In the four months that followed, she displayed remarkable resilience and strength, despite undergoing brain surgery and countless radiotherapies. In her final weeks, she was passionate about raising awareness for Glioblastoma, embodying her lifelong commitment to helping others.

“Mum was truly one of a kind, an enigma to those privileged to share her life. True to her nature, she kept spirits high and maintained her quick wit until the very end.

“Her humour and laughter will leave us inspired to live life to the fullest, just as she always did. We thank you for your love and support and kindly request that you respect our privacy at this challenging time.”

Giles was born in Griffithstown, near Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales, the eldest of three sisters. Before her entry into showbiz via modelling she had worked as a secretary for an advertising agency. Over the past two decades, she has also worked as a counsellor, psychotherapist and novelist. She featured regularly as a newspaper reviewer on UK Living and Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff.

Annabel in a promo photo for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity

London Weekend Television: You Bet! with Matthew Kelly and guest star Annabel Giles