Kristian Digby
Scott Kristian Edwin Digby (24 June 1977 – 1 March 2010) 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. Early life. Digby was born in Torquay, Devon to parents who were property developers. He attended Bramdean School in Exeter, where he battled with severe dyslexia, and graduated from the University of Westminster with a in film and photography. 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. Television career. Digby began his television presenting career for ITV 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 Got 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, including "To Buy or Not to Buy". In addition, he has presented "Uncharted Territory", "Holiday", "Trading Up", "Living in the Sun "and" Open House". In the September 2006 edition of AXM he appeared nude for charity. Digby was a presenter of morning TV BBC shows : Directing. In 1997 Digby's film "Words of Deception" won a junior Bafta and in 1998 his short film "Last Train to Demise" won Best Student Film at the Melbourne Film Festival. 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 Trust, which supports homeless LGBT people and the Terrence Higgins Trust which supports people living with HIV and AIDS. After Digby died, 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". Personal life. Digby was openly 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). 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". 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 in Newham, London. On the morning of 1 March, Englebrecht called Digby's neighbour (and tenant) 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 examination was held on 2 March 2010; the results were inconclusive. The police were satisfied that there was no third-party involvement and the press reported his death was caused by auto-erotic asphyxiation. An inquest opened on 4 March 2010 at Walthamstow Coroner's Court; both his parents attended. On 9 November 2010, the coroner recorded  a verdict of death by misadventure.