Richard Whiteley

[bigboab]

Countdown's presenter Whiteley dead Jun 26 2005




Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley has died, Carol Vorderman's agent has said.

Whiteley, 61, presented the afternoon quiz show for 23 years without missing an episode until last month when he was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Known for his colourful jackets, he was the first face on screen when Channel 4 went on air in 1982.

Whiteley was said to be the most-seen face on British television after the test card girl Carole Hersee.

The straight-talking Yorkshireman was instantly recognisable by his loud ties and stripy jackets.

Richard Whiteley presented Countdown with maths boffin Carol Vorderman and a popular feature of the show was his frequent anecdotes and bad puns.

He did not miss an episode for 23 years until May when he was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with pneumonia.

His long-term partner Kathryn Apanowicz also led a TV career with a part in the BBC soap Angels before appearing in Eastenders and Emmerdale in the 80s.

Before Countdown fame Richard Whiteley, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, had enjoyed a long and distinguished career in local television.

***********

A sad loss to British TV.

[Gripper]

Never realised he was ill,may he rest in peace.

[Illuminati]

I knew he had pneumonia for a while, but I thought that his state was that he'd return to normal.

He was a british institution - It is a sad day to see him go

(God I hope Countdown doesn't become like Have I Got News For You post-Deayton )

[Rat Faced]

R.I.P.

[Mr. Mulder]

[(>Zero Cool<)]

r.i.p

[lynx]

Shit, that's bad news.

I've always considered him a bit of a prat, but after seeing him almost daily for over 20 years it comes as a bit of a shock.

I too was under the impression he was recovering.

Now that he's gone I know I'll miss him.

[peat moss]

I think thats the price of getting old . You see all the old familiar tv personalities your dad and you grew up with pass by . Sad to hear.

[manker]

Deary me, that is sad. I heard it on the radio on the way into work and thought it must be a mistake. Watching Countdown was integral to my student life and if I manage to skive off early then it's the first thing I look for on the TV schedule. Don't know if anyone else will be able to chair it.

A deceptively knowledgable chap, methinks.

[JPaul]

Deary me, that is sad. I heard it on the radio on the way into work and thought it must be a mistake. Watching Countdown was integral to my student life and if I manage to skive off early then it's the first thing I look for on the TV schedule. Don't know if anyone else will be able to chair it.

A deceptively knowledgable chap, methinks.

Christ's College, Cambridge apparently.

Requiescant In Pace.