Steve Whatley

An inquest into his death held at Hatfield, Hertfordshire in January 2006, ruled that Steve Whatley had committed suicide by inhaling fumes whilst ill with depression following the breakdown of his marriage five months earlier.

Steve Whatley later created and founded the “Steve Whatley's Zhuzh!” brand of tanning products and appeared numerous times on Ideal World as a guest seller. He also continued to write blogs, answering questions about “Zhuzh!” on the “Zhuzh!” website late into 2005.

On Christmas Eve 2004, after 4 years at Ideal World, Whatley left the channel to pursue other projects. These included helping to launch Harrods TV and plans to return to his theatre work.

He pleaded “not guilty” to all four counts of indecent assault. The case was adjourned to Peterborough Crown Court until 3 February 2003, and Whatley was granted bail.

On 18 December 2002, whilst still working at Ideal World, Steve Whatley appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court, charged with indecently assaulting a fellow employee four times over a 17-month period during 2000 and 2001. He was accused of groping a female employee three times and once licking her face.

On 6 March 2001, the Ideal World premises, including the studios and warehouse, were devastated by an unexplained fire. Despite this, Whatley continued to work at Ideal World and helped to re-build the channel. Ideal World began broadcasting again in the autumn of 2001, after several months off the air. Until the new studios and warehouse were completed, Whatley and the team of presenters and production staff worked in temporary studios constructed out of prefabricated units that were erected on the Newark Road, Fengate site.

In 2000, Steve Whatley joined Ideal World, a shopping channel owned by Ideal Direct Shopping Plc, with Debbie Flint and Paul Lavers, whom he had previously worked with at QVC. The channel launched on 17 April 2000, and has since been a major rival of QVC. Whatley also presented “Disney Memorabilia” programmes and was a fan and collector of Mickey Mouse memorabilia himself.

In September 1997, after 4 years working at the channel, Whatley left QVC after what was seen as an excessive discussion of Diana, Princess of Wales in his presenting of a “Today's Special Value” item of jewellery the day before her funeral. The “Today's Special Value” item closely resembled Diana, Princess of Wales' diamond and sapphire engagement ring. QVC had ordered there to be no mention of Diana, Princess of Wales in relation to the ring, but Whatley decided otherwise and described the ring as “a fine tribute to a loved princess”. There had also been a 'flare-up' of issues regarding his relationship with other members of staff in the months leading up to Whatley's departure from the channel.

In 1993, Steve Whatley joined QVC along with fellow British television presenters Paul Lavers, and Julia Roberts prior to 'the UK's first shopping channel' launching on 1 October of that year.

Steve Whatley was born in 1959.