Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley has died from his long illness.

RIP.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4625119.stm

very sad to hear this

RIP Mr Countdown

thats come a s bit of a shock thought h was getting better

countdown wont be the same

I'm sure I heard that he was recvoering a few days ago.

Following an operation on an infected heart muscle, Richard Whiteley has died in hospital.

Story here - http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1187001,00.html not many details at present.

His was the first show ever on C4 (those of you who remember the launch) and has been running non-stop ever since with him in the chair.

Never afraid of looking silly, lost or confused, his contribution to television was something of an antidote to the usual self-obsessed personas that infest the airwaves.

And Countdown, like 15-1, was a proper quiz show, low on razzmatazz, high on cerebral content.

He was making a slow improvement, accoridng to the press.

I wonder if Countdown will actually continue now? It's so associated with him.

It's a shame - in his own way he was a 'safe pair of hands'. I think the slightly buffoonish front he put up hid a very sharp and capable broadcaster.

Joe

Very sad news - RIP

:(

the man was a legend RIP

very strange

was only yesterday i read an ad in the whitby gazette for trips to filming sessions

and it said they couldent gaurentee richard would be present cos of his recent illness



well doubt he'l be present now

I just heard about this on the radio while I was driving home. What a very sad loss.

Really, 61 is not old nowadays.

I've always been a fan of Countdown (even though I was terrible at the word game and hopeless with the numbers).

I think they should stop it for a while now. Who would want to step into his place so soon anyway?

Poor Carol, I hope she's not too sad.

Sad news indeed. his act of the amiable host made everyone feel at ease when they were on the show.

I wonder if the ferret will get an invite to the funeral :D

He looked fit and very healthy in general whenever he appeared on the box - I would never have thought pneumonia could every have taken someone who seemed so relatively young and healthy.

Bless him, he seemed a lovely bloke.

How very sad.

I was watching a programme the other night (can't remember what it was) where he said that he would want to be remembered as being the first face on Channel 4. I believe that will be the case.

That is shocking news!!

One of the short ads on C4 where the celebrities are asked what they want to be remembered for shows RW saying: 'I want to be remembered for being on Channel four before channel four'.

RIP RW. A true TV legend.

Oh my god, well this has surprised me, I knew he was in hospital with pneumonia but I didn't think he was that poorly, sort of expected him to recover, albeit slowly.

It's a shame :(

he was getting better....slowly, suposedly

Originally posted by damo
thats come a s bit of a shock thought h was getting better

countdown wont be the same

I agree this has come as a real shocker as i too thought he was on the road to recovery... and was already in talks about returning to countdown...

Countdown defo will not be the same... Carol and Richard had a fab bond...

A very sad loss

Everyone is talking about Countdown, which is of course what he'll be remembered for, but for someone of my age who came from an ITV family (:D ), I'll always remember him as the man from Calendar.

A strange chap. Completely and utterly incompetent, even within the narrow confines of regional news. But he held down the top stop there, and was loved, and then went on to achieve the same on Countdown.


This story from the brilliant offthetelly site (at http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/features/c4/1984.htm)

RICHARD WHITELEY
The way in which the host of Countdown evolved into one of C4's most well-known and enduring "faces" recalls David Frost's much-mocked "rise without trace". At some point during the last two decades Whiteley stopped being the occasional host of one of a rotating number of teatime quiz shows and became something approaching a national icon. When exactly that moment occurred is a near mystery. However a turning point of sorts came in February 1984, when Whiteley enjoyed a trip to Monte Carlo to attend a special recording of Countdown's French antecedent, Des Chiffres et des Lettres. Unbeknown to Monsieur Twatly (as the French erroneously billed him), the excursion was merely a ruse to keep him occupied while Yorkshire TV bosses deliberated over whether to fire him in the light of Countdown's recent poor ratings. Right at the last minute, though, the axe was postponed when a new set of viewing figures revealed the show had made the C4 top 10 for the first time. A fax from Paul Fox, head of Yorkshire TV, proclaimed "business as usual" - and so it would remain.

I suppose because he was on my TV every weekday of my young life, I feel like a member of my family has passed away!

RIP Richard.

I thought this thread was a wind up.

I'm sure they said on 'call my bluff' today that he would be back this week :( I suppose it's recorded though :|

My old ma will miss Countdown. She never missed an episode. I even bought her a Countdown quiz book at Christmas! Always a fave with the pensioners, was our Dickie.

Originally posted by Ant
My old ma will miss Countdown. She never missed an episode. I even bought her a Countdown quiz book at Christmas! Always a fave with the pensioners, was our Dickie.

My Mum is a fan of countdown too... it will be on for a little while i would imagine as they are still showing the recordings... that is unless his family request otherwise...

Memories flooding back - does anyone remember when he presented those Telethons in the late 1980's?

They were absolute rubbish (lots for charidee, etc), but he did present for something like 24 hours non-stop!

does anyone remember when he presented those Telethons in the late 1980's?

Only vaguely. He was a born bumbler and totally unsuited for tv work. That's what made him so well liked and watchable. I always saw him as a teacher-type. A bit like Russell Harty, but more approachable.

I remember when he was a Presenter on "Calendar". 3.15pm Monday to Friday will never be the same again :(

Remember when it was Calendar Countdown? It was an even more wobbly show in those days. I was amazed when Channel Four took it on as their flagship show, but it developed into a minor cult classic. Something you'd only admit to watching to Those Who Would Understand.

Was Richard the real mayor of Wetwang or was it an Honorary position he gave himself?

Ant, yes I do! It was on Yorkshire, not Channel 4. I guess it was tucked away in that terrible old 6:30 slot after Calendar (you know, where the likes of Cleggs People used to hide).

One of dozens of Calendar spinoffs:

Calendar Commentary (Geoff Druett presends to be Jeremy Paxman)

Calendar Goes Pop (Richard Madely gets a good twatting from Shaking Stevens)

Any others?

Originally posted by Jon
Was Richard the real mayor of Wetwang or was it an Honorary position he gave himself?

Yes. Just an honorary position but a real one that he didn't give to himself.

He owned a racehorse called the Mare of Wetwang too. From the Racing Post:


MARE OF WETWANG 7-y-o (28 Apr 1998 ) ch m Current Owner: Richard Whiteley
River Falls (8.1f) - Kudos Blue (Elmaamul (USA)(9.3f)) Current Trainer: J D Bethell
(500gns) first foal; dam maiden, including at two years Breeder: James And Mrs Bethell
Starts Wins 2nds 3rds Win Prize Total Prize
Lifetime flat turf 19 1 1 0 £2,755 £3,506
Lifetime jumps 3 0 0 0 £0 £0
Lifetime A-w 7 0 1 0 £0 £658

DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
27Feb03 Sth 12Sl cl6 Sl,2K 8-9 13/16 64L, Royal Prodigy[66/1] 8-11 E Ahern 34 — —
08Feb03 Cat 16Gd E NvH,3K 11-0 10/16 26L, True Rose[40/1] 10-11 B Harding — — 54
15Jan03 Ncs 16Hy E MdH,3K 11-4 PU/13 54L, Super Sammy[50/1] 10-13 A Dobbin — — —
26Dec02 Wet 16Sft D NvH,4K 10-8 11/14 94L, Always Rainbows[33/1] 11-4 S Stronge — — 14
05Sep02 Sth 14Sl cl6 Cl,2K 8-4 11/16 73L, Polish Baron[50/1] 9-12 D Allan 28 — —
31Jul02 Mus 12GS cl6 SlHc,3K 9-0 7/12 22L, Gargoyle Girl[16/1] 9-5 W Woods 33 5 14
19Jul02 Pon 12GF cl5 Hc,8K 7-7 10/10 32L, Runaway Star[25/1] 8-6 F P Ferris 37 — 1
01Jul02 Wdr 12GF cl5 Hc,3K 8-0 7/10 9L, Alpha Rose[9/1] 9-6 Joanna Badger 36 4 32
13Jun02 Ham 13Hy cl6 Hc,3K 8-5 4/12 4L, Whistling Dixie[12/1] 9-7 T E Durcan 37 — 44
29May02 Rip 16GS cl5 Hc,4K 7-7 9/12 23L, Kent[20/1] 8-2 J Mackay 44 — 32
17May02 Ham 11Gd cl6 SlHc,3K 8-11 5/15 5L, Gargoyle Girl[4/1F] 9-0 K Darley 37 39 38
13Apr02 Pon 12GF cl5 ApHc,3K 7-3 12/14 17½L, Classic Millennium[8/1] 7-10 N Mackay 39 3 26 (etc...)

Cleggs People

Oh my gawd, Cleggs People! Sorry, off topic for a mo. But Cleggs People was another classic. Like watching One Man And His Dog crossed with Last Of The Summer Wine crossed with The Best Of Fred Dibnah. Ah, Michael Clegg. Bless 'im.

Back on topic now...

OMG Just read this thread, I can't believe it.

I knew he was in ICU with pneumonia, then Richard (Richard and Judy) said last week that he was out of ICU and watching their show and wished him a speedy recovery.

Then next thing I heard, he'd had a heart operation and was poorly but improving. His long term partner Kathryn Apanowicz was by his side in hospital.

I remember Richard from Calendar. I've watched countdown on and off for years and whilst i've been off work i've watched it regularly. I was in the audience for some filming of countdown a few years ago.

He went to Giggleswick school and I think Russel Harty was one of his teachers? He was a very bright student and took his O Levels at an early age. He was officialy the most frequently seen face on television.

I for one am very sad. RIP Richard. :(

MOD: Just a reminder that this thread is for tributes to Richard Whiteley.

A legend? I don't think so. Infact, he came across as the Ringo Starr of Channel 4, the guy who got lucky.

Having said that, I find his passing sad. I guess, as someone who remembers tuning into Channel 4 for that very first broadcast, it feels like another piece of life, and what felt quite a secure piece, has been taken away from me.

I wasn't a fan of his, not my cup of tea at all, but I am truly sorry to hear of his too-early death.

RIP, Mayor of Wetwang.

Originally posted by Ousetunes
A legend? I don't think so. Infact, he came across as the Ringo Starr of Channel 4, the guy who got lucky.

I wasn't a fan of his, not my cup of tea at all, but I am truly sorry to hear of his too-early death.

RIP, Mayor of Wetwang.
Originally posted by Siân
MOD: Just a reminder that this thread is for tributes to Richard Whiteley.

Originally posted by Avalon


Well excuse me but I can read.

My post is a 'tribute', but not one bathed in tears and romantic imagery. I am genuinely sorry for Richard's passing.

But I'm not going to pretend I liked him just to join a long chain of sycophants....,

Originally posted by Ousetunes
Well excuse me but I can read.

My post is a 'tribute', but not one bathed in tears and romantic imagery. I am genuinely sorry for Richard's passing.

But I'm not going to pretend I liked him just to join a long chain of sycophants....,

Sycophants? He's dead silly, there's not much pleasing him now.

Awww - one of of the best well known Yorkshire guys.

My parents live(d) very near to Richard Whiteley. They are all shocked and upset as he was liked and respected in the area. Always time for a chat and a laugh.

He was a really smart guy that never came fully across with his cheesy puns on Countdown and bad ties. Very business minded and one of the most intelligent people I have met. But he was also a genuinely nice man

Think he'll be remembered as a one-off Yorkshire bloke who always smiled.

His son must be about 18 now - horribly sad for him. As already said 61 is no age really...

MOD: The previous note was a response to a joke made which a lot of users found distasteful. It wasn't meant to to suggest that only fans of Mr Whiteley could contribute to this thread :)

He's a man who I genuinely believed was immortal.

Channel 4 and weekday afternoons will never be the same - nobody will ever be able to replace him on Countdown.

My heart goes out to his family and friends, particularly Carol who was so hopeful of a recovery in an interview last week.

R.I.P

i remember him on top gear the slowest round the track in the suzuki learna. he was funny though it didn't seen to bother the being at the bottom. R.I.P :sad:

It's very sad to see him go. I read somewhere that the reason that he'd suffered so badly with this bout of pneumonia was that he was asthmatic, which is bound to make it a lot worse. Still, I too thought he was recovering and it was big shock to hear he'd died.

RIP.

He absolutely loved Yorkshire, he carried his Yorkshire passport with him wherever he went.

He, along with a few other Yorkshire celebrities who love their homeland, such as Michael Palin and Dickie Bird, make me proud to be a Yorkshireman.

*Salutes to the great man*

I dunno about the younger generations, but the older generations certanly hold a lot of respect for him. He was a top bloke all in all, a good man.

Joel

Very sad but I think that the show should carry on as a tribute to him.

Does anybody know how this happened? :(

How do you get pneumonia in June?

Originally posted by Strix
Does anybody know how this happened? :(

How do you get pneumonia in June?

being of the older pesuasion and having other illnesses can trigger it off ..........didnt he have diabetes and asthema or something

Awww. Poor old fella. RIP RW.

If anyone has watched Calendar tonight you will be left in no doubt that Richard was a truly well-loved, brilliant and friendly Yorkshire man.

Highly intelligent, witty, full of energy, loveable, personable, friendly, all of these words go towards describing Ricardo. A true one-off who will be greatly and sadly missed.

Tea time will never be the same
Without Wetwang’s Mayor to play the game
It can be said, indeed quite rightly
They’ll never replace old twice nightly

His gentle fun with the awful pun
Tasted ties never undone
The countdown run and now it seems
The angels will share his gypsy creams

So thankyou Richard for a life that merits
A place where you only find
Friendly ferrits

RIP 'twice nightly'.

Originally posted by Angel05


Countdown defo will not be the same... Carol and Richard had a fab bond...

A very sad loss

This point intrigued me; I was always led to believe that Carol and Richard did not like each other off screen.

Either way, Countdown just won't be the same. :|

Originally posted by Kristian
This point intrigued me; I was always led to believe that Carol and Richard did not like each other off screen.

Either way, Countdown just won't be the same. :|

After seeing Carol Vorderman on the news this evening,they were definately friends.Carol looked like she had lost a close family member.
But that is what it feels like to lots of people.He was like an old uncle that made everyones day.

Originally posted by Hels
Highly intelligent, witty, full of energy, loveable, personable, friendly, all of these words go towards describing Ricardo. A true one-off who will be greatly and sadly missed.

Hear hear Hels...

He liked to "dumb down" but was indeed a very intelligent fella. I liked him.

Originally posted by Kristian
This point intrigued me; I was always led to believe that Carol and Richard did not like each other off screen.


Nah, they were very good mates, I believe....

he was always joking about taking her on a trip to amsterdam i believe ...........i think she always laughed and looked like she was viewing him with suspicion?

im sure he always mentioned another place to take her too, ive forgot now

I shall miss RW. I was just getting into Countdown proper now I'm nearly 40.

Loved the puns.

Will he be irriplaceable - like Freddie Mercury?

Would someone like Giles Brandreth be an acceptible
second-in-command? After all he was a regular guest.

:( :( :( :( :(

I'll never forget the time when Richard Whiteley was in the Brighton hotel when the IRA bomb went off. He got a great scoop that day.

awwwwwwww!
I'd forgotten that!
Grey dust in his barnet n that ;)

do you remember that clip they show about Countdown when the letters on the board spelt out the naughty word w_ _k_ _ and both contestants submitted it as their final word.

Richard Whiteley said in his dead pan voice to dictionary corner.. "so we have a pair of w_ _k_ _ s"

Originally posted by Lickszz
I'll never forget the time when Richard Whiteley was in the Brighton hotel when the IRA bomb went off. He got a great scoop that day.

There was also an outside broadcast he was at in Scarborough when a hotel fell off the edge of the cliff while he was speaking.

Whiteley has died much too young. He always struck me as a good and witty journalist, much brighter than his blundering yet endearing performances on Countdown suggested. There was the hint of a man slightly out of step with the times about him. He, in contrast with so many younger 'broadcasting legends' [in their own minds], believed in old-fashioned courtesies and there was something mildly magnificent about him. His lack of vanity and self-importance coupled with a lack of panache won the hearts of many. I remember his appearances on the earliest Calendar broadcasts, and he never seemed to change . There was nothing contrived about Richard Whiteley, and that is the mark of a true Yorkshireman.

As the guy would have put it in one of his tea-time teasers for the add-breaks he was


DEARGLEENUT

answers on a post-card please!!!

Final Countdown is on tomorrow (Friday) with tribute programmes as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4636995.stm


If you want to see Austin Mitchell on Look North tonight you can go to this page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/looknorthyorkslincs/

and "Take a look at the latest editions" select the 6:30 Yorkshire edition.
(This is only good until tomorrow as the clips get updated daily)