Magenta Devine dead: How did she die? What’s the BBC presenter’s cause of death?
MAGENTA DEVINE, who presented BBC show Rough Guides to the World and Channel 4's Network 7, has died at the age of 61. How did the BBC presenter die? What’s her cause of death?
Magenta Devine: BBC presenter gives a tour of Dublin
Magenta Devine died following a short illness, her family confirmed to BBC.
The British star’s relatives said she had been undergoing treatment at a central London hospital.
The exact cause of death has not yet been revealed.
In a statement released by her family, they said Magenta was a “talented writer and stylish on-screen presence who was greatly admired by her many friends and colleagues for her creativity and wit".
Related articles
The star went to rehab in the 1990s for heroin addiction and depression and was declared bankrupt in 2003.
In 2007, Magenta said seeking treatment for her addictions was a “complete waste of money”.
She wrote for the Daily Mail: “I’ve done rehab and, if my experience is anything to go by, it is usually a complete waste of money.
“Some celebrities, who claim to be suffering from 'stress and exhaustion', would be better off taking a spa holiday and, if they really are in emotional meltdown, perhaps they could take their therapist with them.
“Fifteen years ago, when I went into rehab, it was considered shameful to admit needing help for depression or drug addiction - now it is almost like a badge of honour for modern celebrities.”
Tributes have poured in for Magenta with Sankha Guha, who worked with the presenter on the Rough Guide series, calling her an “icon”.
He said: "She used her public persona to tell stories about the world that mattered to her and inspired a whole generation to travel with a sense of adventure and an open mind.”
Sankha called his friend’s passing a “blow” and acknowledged her health problems.
"I knew she was ill, but her death is a body blow,” he said. “I have lost a soul mate and a partner in adventure."
He added Magenta was ”an icon for a generation... who invited attention and sometimes hostility for her bold look and style".
Other fans paid tribute on Twitter with one person writing: “Had the pleasure of meeting Magenta Devine at a charity do once. She was surprisingly down to earth, and VERY funny.”
Related articles
Another said: “I’ve just heard that Magenta DeVine has died. I knew her slightly for a while and she was one of the funniest, most entertaining and lovely people I ever met.”
A third wrote: “Sad to see Magenta Devine has died. Network 7 was very much part of my Sunday growing up. RIP.”
One person commended Magenta’s style and said: “I grew up watching Magenta longing to be as stylish as her.”
Magenta’s TV credits included presenting youth programmes Rough Guide and Reportage on BBC2 and Young, Gifted and Broke for ITV in the 1990s.
The TV favourite is survived by her father Gerald Taylor, her sisters Gillian and Georgina and her brother Nicholas.
