Igor Pelykh was a well-known host on Ukrainian television during the 2000s. His successful programs included "Galloping Through Europe," "Taxi," and "Not All at Home." Unfortunately, he tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2009, leaving three children without a father. Today, February 3rd, the showman would have celebrated his 51st birthday.
"Telegraph" will remind us of Igor Pelykh's television career, where the TV presenter is buried, and what his grave looks like.
Igor Pelykh was born in 1974 in Ternopil. He studied at a vocational school for services and tourism. At one point, he participated in a youth amateur society, organized the music festival "Nivroku" in Ternopil, and played in the rock band Nameless.
Later, Pelykh began working at the Ternopil television and radio company, where he hosted the music program "Cheerful Roger." He then moved to the city's first FM station, "Radio Ternopil." After that, Igor relocated to Kyiv, where he became a DJ at "Radio Stolytsia."
Since 1999, Pelykh started working at "1+1," where he co-hosted the entertainment project "Not All at Home" with Oleksandra Lozynska. His colleague later became the wife of the TV presenter. During this time, Igor decided to pursue higher education and enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where he studied journalism.
In 2000, Pelykh took a position as an administrator for the ICTV website. Subsequently, Igor became the host of the travel program "Galloping Through Europe." According to the concept, Pelykh and his co-host sought people on the streets of cities who wanted to go on vacation that same day. Igor also hosted the projects "On Your Head," "Taxi," and "Labyrinth."
Pelykh actively supported the Orange Revolution and expressed disagreement with ICTV's editorial policy at that time. He later established the studio "Horns and Hooves Production." In 2008, Pelykh was the host of the "DSP Show" on "Europa Plus" radio.
The TV presenter died in a car accident in Kyiv. This incident occurred on Beresteiskyi Avenue. The driver of a Honda Accord crashed into another vehicle, causing it to veer off and hit a tree. Pelykh died at the scene. The tragedy took place in 2009 when the TV presenter was 35 years old.
The perpetrator initially fled the scene of the tragedy but later turned himself in to the police. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison and ordered to pay 2 million hryvnias in compensation to the deceased's family. The man left behind three children and a wife.
Farewell to Pelykh took place at the ICTV channel premises. Relatives, friends, colleagues, and fans of Igor gathered there. He was buried at Baikove Cemetery. A stone monument in the shape of a cross was erected for Pelykh. His birth and death dates, along with his name, are engraved on it. A small portrait of the TV presenter is also visible at the bottom, which is periodically updated.
In Ternopil, a unique memorial object was opened for Pelykh in 2011. It was created in the form of a television, and by pressing the screen, one can watch videos featuring Pelykh. The monument is accompanied by an inscription: "In this house, from 1996-1997, Igor Pelykh worked, lived, ate, slept, smoked, and humorously chatted at the station 'Radio Ternopil'."
Let us remind you that on February 1, Petro Poroshenko's wife turned 63. "Telegraph" reported on how Marina Poroshenko has changed over the years.