On 16 September 2024, Steve Legg - International baffler, Christian entertainer, funny guy, Gospel entrepreneur, and just an all round wonderful man of God, went off to his greatest gig, as he was promoted to Glory to spend eternity with Jesus. After an on and off battle with cancer and other knock on stuff for the last 2 years, Heaven was finally ready and braced for his arrival.
For over 35 years, Steve had travelled the length and breadth of the UK, and further afield, using comedy and magic to speak to people about God. It is said he travelled a million miles to share the Gospel. Using his wonderful gift to make people laugh, confound them with magic genius, and share his story about life with Jesus, he has been responsible for countless people coming to faith. Family nights, men's events, church gatherings, after dinner speaking. Small room or large stage. Anything was an opportunity for Steve to share the love of Jesus that he discovered at the age of 13 while in the Boys Brigade.
As well as performing, Steve wrote many books either based on his experiences where he always saw the funny side, or straight out devotional books, including a wonderful series of family devotional books that he wrote with his wife Bekah. Also, for over 15 years, he edited a wholesome men's magazine called "Sorted", that he founded to give another way to approach men about Jesus, openly shared amongst articles about clothes, cars, holidays, gadgets and much more.
Even through these last couple of years of failing health, Steve still witnessed. He gigged where possible, although latterly more reliant on drivers for a change. He loved. He laughed. He even wrote yet another book, this time about dealing with an end of life diagnosis. The Last Laugh - reflections of a funny man with terminal cancer - is a real life tale of how he and Bekah, faced with an initial 5-6 month diagnosis, made the bold decision to get busy living and get busy laughing. He has even turned that into a poignant journal with 22 steps to living life to the full - 22 being significant as the number of weeks he initially thought he had left to live. He stretched that timeline to the max and made the most of every opportunity.
He was friend to the stars, many of whom featured on his Back Story podcast that kept him busy during lockdown. His address book is a who's who of entertainers and other stars from across the world. He was friend to so many people up and down the land - as evidenced by his photo appearing in almost every other post on my social media timeline today. But he was always just Steve - husband, and dad to 5 girls - a guy who loved Jesus and wanted to tell people about Him.
Our paths had crossed a couple of times, and in early 2022 we recorded an interview for my then Teatime Show on RevivalFM. You can listen back to the whole 26 minute interview here. He talks about his career but also spends a great deal of time speaking about his cancer diagnosis. Later that year, he came to do a gig in Cumbernauld for me, but we had to postpone the gig at the last minute as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away that afternoon - while he was travelling up to us. It didn't seem right to go ahead with the gig but he graciously gave his time chatting with those who came along and still taking the opportunity to share his message. They say you always remember where you were when certain major events happen. For me, I'll never forget standing around my laptop with Steve as the news was relayed to the world of the Queen's passing, and the National Anthem played. We stood in silence together then continued to chat, share experiences and have a wee laugh later on too. It was just a joy to be in his presence.
So now he is at his most exciting gig. With the angels in Heaven - and good luck to them! He will be missed, but never forgotten. Many will sing Sweet Caroline or Daydream Believer and think of him. Some will wear an outrageously flowery shirt and honour him. Others maybe won't even remember him specifically, but their lives will have been changed as a result of seeing him in action on stage.
My prayers are with Bekah and the girls especially, but with all those impacted by Steve. May he rest in peace, rise in Glory, and hear those words from our Lord - well done good and faithful servant.
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