Steve Legg was a comedian, magician, author, broadcaster, magazine editor and speaker. But above all else, he loved telling people about Jesus. Carl Beech pays tribute to a man who was the same on and off the stage, and who never stopped laughing or inspiring others
I can’t remember when I first met Steve Legg, we go back that far. I can remember when I first heard of him though.
It was an article about some crazy escapologist who was also apparently an evangelist. This was mind-blowing to me at the time. I had become a Christian in 1990 in a Brethren church, thanks to a visiting evangelist who looked as far removed from an escapologist as can be. Effective, but in a suit, not a straight jacket.
Steve first hit the road in 1988, and has been relentless ever since. In fact, in 2018 he celebrated an astonishing one million miles driven and 30 years on the road. It’s said that the great John Wesley did 250,000 miles on horseback; I suspect Steve went through as many Skodas as Wesley went through horses!
Breaking the mould
On a more serious note, this gives you some indication of Steve’s commitment to the Church and to the gospel. From comedy shows (he would famously say: “I do comedy magic; but if it’s not funny, it’s just magic!”) to books, devotionals, journals, the incredible Sorted magazine, and even a musical that premiered at Leicester Square called It’s a Boy. He broke the mould and was a huge inspiration to me. He showed me what life-giving mission could really look like.
His unwavering faith and constant humour inspired me so much
Behind his flamboyant shirts, constant and relentless one-liners and humorous glint was a ferociously creative and passionate mind. Whenever we met to discuss some idea or other, he would have remarkable clear-sightedness and wisdom, backed up by years of experience.
For the past 14 years, Steve was the anchor of every single session at The Gathering, the annual men’s festival that I founded. He used to say it was his favourite event of the year. For me, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to hang out with him.
His presence gave me confidence and without him, I would not have been as effective. It was a fantastic double act and one I will greatly miss. This year, Steve was so determined not to miss it that he joined us after major surgery on his neck, despite the obvious physical impact of the surgery.
No persona
What I will say here is perhaps the most important thing I could say about Steve; many up-front people can disappoint you when you see them in their ‘normal’ day-to-day lives. Not so Steve. What you saw on the platform was what you got everywhere.
Behind his flamboyant shirts and relentless one-liners was a ferociously creative mind
Staying round his house, he would be in his pyjamas at about 4pm (when he wasn’t on the road) to settle down and watch Countdown. He had no persona. It was simply Steve. He loved his family, his dog and nothing more than being home with his wonderful wife Bekah and his kids. All said and done, he was a family man who loved the Lord.
Journeying together
When we were both diagnosed with serious health conditions, we kept cheering each other on. A message here, a catch up there. As his cancer started to grip him, his unwavering faith and constant humour inspired me so much. We were real with each other though. The odd tear was shed. The last time I saw him, he answered the door wearing sunglasses, explaining that it was so “you can’t see me crying when I give you a hug.”
I’m going to miss my mate like you won’t believe, but my faith in Jesus assures me that we will see each other again soon. Perhaps in the blink of an eye. Until then, I know he will bring joy and laugher to the heavenly host. See you soon mate.
Read or listen to Steve Legg and Carl Beech discuss serious illness, joy in suffering and praying for healing
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