Kristian Digby
Encyclopedia
Kristian Digby was an English
television presenter
and director
best known for presenting To Buy or Not to Buy
on BBC One
. On 1 March 2010 he was found dead in what police said were "unexplained circumstances". On 9 November 2010, a coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
, Devon
to parents who were property developers. He attended Bramdean School in Exeter, where he battled with severe dyslexia
. He later presented a documentary for the BBC entitled Hiding the Truth: I Can't Read in which he returned to the school. In 1997, Digby's film Words of Deception won him a Junior BAFTA
. The following year, his film Last Train to Demise, which featured actress and model Lucy Perkins
, won the Melbourne Film Festival's Best Student Film award.
gay
. He claimed to have discovered his sexuality when he was studying for his degree in "Film, video and photographic arts" at the University of Westminster
(1995 to 1998). According to a friend, Digby had an eight-year relationship, which had ended a year before.
presenting Nightlife. Prior to this he covered for LBC's TV critic Chris Stacey on LBC's evening shows, Sunday Night and One Night Strand. At around the same time, he directed television programmes Homefront
, Fantasy Rooms, She’s Gotta Have It which also featured actress and model Lucy Perkins, Girls On Top (Not be confused with the 1980s sitcom) and The O-Zone
. In 2001, Digby presented That Gay Show on BBC Choice
.
Beginning in 2003, Digby presented various programmes for the BBC, most notably To Buy or Not to Buy. In addition, he has presented Uncharted Territory, Holiday
, Trading Up, Living in the Sun and Open House.
In 2006 he appeared in Simon Fanshawe
's The Trouble with Gay Men and bemoaned the lack of gay role models, explaining how he refused to camp it up on TV, although he was known for his pole dancing skills excerpted on That Gay Show. In the September 2006 edition of AXM
he appeared nude for charity.
Digby presented the following morning TV BBC shows:
Open House - Along with his team, he made over properties that are not selling through the traditional estate agent route, after the make over they host an open house for possible buyers.
Buy It, Sell It, Bank It - The show follows two property developers at a property auction, the winner is followed for the rest of the show as he or she alters the house. The loser at the auction gives his or her thoughts of the improvements at the end of the show.
To Build or Not to Build - In 2008 Digby decided to build his own house, designed by Neu Architects. The BBC decided to follow this and also draw in other people who have done something similar with Digby interviewing them. The premise is similar to Channel 4's Grand Designs
, but on a smaller scale.
, which supports homeless LGBT people and the Terrence Higgins Trust
which supports people living with HIV
and AIDS
. After Digby's death, Tim Sigsworth, chief executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust, said: ‘The young people cared for by the Trust were very close to Kristian’s heart. The money donated in honour of his memory will go towards the newly named ‘Kristian Digby Young Person of the Year Award’ which will be given out at the Albert Awards in London and Manchester. Donations will also directly improve the lives and life chances of young LGBT people who are facing homelessness after rejection by their families’.
, London E15. On the morning of 1 March, Englebrecht called Digby's neighbour and tenant of a room in the main home that Digby owned, who entered the two-bedroom house that Digby had built and lived in. She found Digby dead on his bed at 7:45 am on 1 March 2010. An ambulance was called; paramedics declared him dead at the scene. Digby's body was identified by his mother, Paula Dubois. Digby's post-mortem was held on 2 March 2010; the results were inconclusive. The police are satisfied that there was no third-party involvement.
An inquest opened on 4 March 2010 at Walthamstow
Coroner
's Court; both his parents attended. The inquest was adjourned later the same day. It reopened in November 2010, where the police stated that Digby was found on his bed, wearing only his boxer shorts, as well as a plastic bag
bin liner over his head. The body was found next to a canister of ethyl chloride, or "poppers", as it's known in the gay scene but no trace of it or other stimulants or alcohol
were found in his blood stream. On 9 November 2010, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, commenting:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
television presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
and director
Television director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
best known for presenting To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy or Not to Buy was a British reality television series made between 2003 and 2010 for BBC One in the UK. The final series was the eleventh and contained 90 episodes, in one of two formats—either 30 or 45 minutes in length. It aired on both BBC1 and BBC2...
on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. On 1 March 2010 he was found dead in what police said were "unexplained circumstances". On 9 November 2010, a coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
Early life
Digby was born Scott Kristian Edwin Digby in TorquayTorquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
to parents who were property developers. He attended Bramdean School in Exeter, where he battled with severe dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
. He later presented a documentary for the BBC entitled Hiding the Truth: I Can't Read in which he returned to the school. In 1997, Digby's film Words of Deception won him a Junior BAFTA
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
. The following year, his film Last Train to Demise, which featured actress and model Lucy Perkins
Lucy Perkins
Lucy Perkins is a British based film, television and stage actress. She has featured in productions such as The Day That Shook the World, Britain's Finest Actresses, Helen of Troy and The Real CSI. Perkins' theatre credits include Trainspotting, The Cherry Orchard, A Streetcar Named Desire, Whale...
, won the Melbourne Film Festival's Best Student Film award.
Personal life
Digby was openlyComing out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
. He claimed to have discovered his sexuality when he was studying for his degree in "Film, video and photographic arts" at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
(1995 to 1998). According to a friend, Digby had an eight-year relationship, which had ended a year before.
Television career
Digby started his television presenting career for ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
presenting Nightlife. Prior to this he covered for LBC's TV critic Chris Stacey on LBC's evening shows, Sunday Night and One Night Strand. At around the same time, he directed television programmes Homefront
Homefront (TV series)
Homefront was an interior design "makeover" TV show airing on the BBC, on par with American television's This Old House and Martha Stewart...
, Fantasy Rooms, She’s Gotta Have It which also featured actress and model Lucy Perkins, Girls On Top (Not be confused with the 1980s sitcom) and The O-Zone
The O-Zone
The O-Zone was a weekly music magazine show broadcast on BBC Two from 1989-2000. Originally presented by Andy Crane until 1990 and originally only shown during school holidays and Sunday mornings during the winter months on CBBC...
. In 2001, Digby presented That Gay Show on BBC Choice
BBC Choice
BBC Choice was a BBC TV station which launched on 23 September 1998 and closed on 9 February 2003. It was the first British TV channel to broadcast exclusively in digital format, and was the first new channel from the BBC since BBC Two launched in 1964...
.
Beginning in 2003, Digby presented various programmes for the BBC, most notably To Buy or Not to Buy. In addition, he has presented Uncharted Territory, Holiday
Holiday (TV series)
Holiday was a long-running UK television programme on BBC One, and was the oldest travel review show on UK television. It was aired on the channel from 1969 until 2007.-Overview:...
, Trading Up, Living in the Sun and Open House.
In 2006 he appeared in Simon Fanshawe
Simon Fanshawe
Simon Hew Dalrymple Fanshawe is a writer and broadcaster. He contributes frequently to British newspapers, TV and radio...
's The Trouble with Gay Men and bemoaned the lack of gay role models, explaining how he refused to camp it up on TV, although he was known for his pole dancing skills excerpted on That Gay Show. In the September 2006 edition of AXM
AXM
AXM is a British lifestyle digital magazine aimed at young gay and bisexual men.The magazine ceased publication of printed magazines after December 2008 due to financial downturn, and so it claims, to show videos online, thus the magazine is now in an online-only format.Its content is heavily based...
he appeared nude for charity.
Digby presented the following morning TV BBC shows:
Open House - Along with his team, he made over properties that are not selling through the traditional estate agent route, after the make over they host an open house for possible buyers.
Buy It, Sell It, Bank It - The show follows two property developers at a property auction, the winner is followed for the rest of the show as he or she alters the house. The loser at the auction gives his or her thoughts of the improvements at the end of the show.
To Build or Not to Build - In 2008 Digby decided to build his own house, designed by Neu Architects. The BBC decided to follow this and also draw in other people who have done something similar with Digby interviewing them. The premise is similar to Channel 4's Grand Designs
Grand Designs
Grand Designs is a British television series produced by Talkback Thames and broadcast on Channel 4 which features unusual and often elaborate architectural home-building projects....
, but on a smaller scale.
Charity work
Digby devoted a large amount of time to charity work. He supported both dyslexia charities, as well as LGBT charities. Two charities he was involved with were The Albert Kennedy TrustThe Albert Kennedy Trust
The Albert Kennedy Trust is a voluntary organisation based in England, created in 1989 to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual young people who are homeless, living in a hostile environment or in housing crisis...
, which supports homeless LGBT people and the Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...
which supports people living with HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. After Digby's death, Tim Sigsworth, chief executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust, said: ‘The young people cared for by the Trust were very close to Kristian’s heart. The money donated in honour of his memory will go towards the newly named ‘Kristian Digby Young Person of the Year Award’ which will be given out at the Albert Awards in London and Manchester. Donations will also directly improve the lives and life chances of young LGBT people who are facing homelessness after rejection by their families’.
Death
Digby's partner, Jason Englebrecht, returned from Africa on 28 February, and tried to call Digby, but was unsuccessful in making contact or entering his home on Richford Road, NewhamLondon Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...
, London E15. On the morning of 1 March, Englebrecht called Digby's neighbour and tenant of a room in the main home that Digby owned, who entered the two-bedroom house that Digby had built and lived in. She found Digby dead on his bed at 7:45 am on 1 March 2010. An ambulance was called; paramedics declared him dead at the scene. Digby's body was identified by his mother, Paula Dubois. Digby's post-mortem was held on 2 March 2010; the results were inconclusive. The police are satisfied that there was no third-party involvement.
An inquest opened on 4 March 2010 at Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
Coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
's Court; both his parents attended. The inquest was adjourned later the same day. It reopened in November 2010, where the police stated that Digby was found on his bed, wearing only his boxer shorts, as well as a plastic bag
Plastic bag
A plastic bag, polybag, or pouch is a type of packaging made of thin, flexible, plastic film, nonwoven fabric, or plastic textile. Plastic bags are used for containing and transporting goods such as foods, produce, powders, ice, magazines, comic books, chemicals and waste.Most plastic bags are...
bin liner over his head. The body was found next to a canister of ethyl chloride, or "poppers", as it's known in the gay scene but no trace of it or other stimulants or alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
were found in his blood stream. On 9 November 2010, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, commenting:
External links
- Kristian Digby at BBC Online