Richard Whiteley dies, 61
 

Richard Whiteley, the presenter of Channel 4 quiz show Countdown since its inception, has died at the age of 61.

In May, Yorkshire Television - which produces Countdown for Channel 4 - confirmed that Whiteley had been hospitalised after being taken ill with pneumonia. Earlier this month, it was announced that guest presenters would fill in for Whiteley, with the star said to have been making a slow recovery.

Although he is most widely known for his Countdown work, Whiteley joined Yorkshire Television back in 1965, eventually becoming a reporter and later presenter of Yorkshire's regional news programme Calendar. For a brief period, he hosted both Calendar and Countdown; the quiz show started on Yorkshire and subsequently moved to Channel 4 as the station's launch show.

In November 2004, Whiteley was awarded the Order of the British Empire.

I'm shocked.... I didn't know he was unwell

I'll miss you at the cricket mate..... you always played the crowd so well.

RED

i didnt know he was unwell either!
i was relly liked him and i thought he was one of the best tv hostes on telly!
he always made me laugh

He was a great host.... I saw countdown being made and he was so funny. He came across as lovely person and I'm sure people will miss him.

He wanted to be remembered as the first person to host a show on channel 4...... let us not forget that so his wish lives on.

This is so sad:bawling:

OMG, I'm really shocked! :(

I heard this morning - terrible news. I feel sorry for his family. He'll be missed.

Gone but not forgotten. :flower:

It says in the newspaper that he was asthematic, which would make pnemonia even more dangerous for him. Also, he was diabetic, which often means a reduced life expectancy.

Richard Whiteley will live on in spirit! :hello:

Im totally shocked by this news, he was a great guy who was always fun to watch.

He certainly wont be forgotten.

Oh no that is so sad :bawling: i thought he was getting better. My friend told me the sad news at school today and i was so shocked. Yeah your right Mike he wont be forgotten.

Who on earth can they get to replace the irreplaceable on countdown. His awful jokes and awful jackets and ties - he was one on his own. Such a shock