R.I.P Richard Whiteley - Burnley Web

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-05, 22:24

The star of Countdown, aged 61, underwent the surgery to combat an infection that attacked a valve in his heart.

He was taken into hospital in Leeds last month suffering from pneumonia.

Whiteley had been the host of the letters and numbers gameshow since it began 23 years ago.

He was the first person to appear on Channel 4 when it launched on November 2, 1982.

When he was taken ill last month, he missed the first show in more than two decades.

John Richard Whiteley OBE, was born on December 28, 1943 in Bradford.

The jacket and ties he wore for Countdown had a reputation for their garishness.

Whiteley loved anecdotes and puns, which were often met by groans from other presenters and members of the audience.

He even made the big screen, in a cameo role in the Hugh Grant movie About a Boy.

The Countdown star was nicknamed "Twice Nightly Whiteley" in reference to the time when he presented Yorkshire TV's Calendar News and Countdown in the same evening.

In a self-deprecating joke, he often altered this to "Once Yearly, Nearly."

He was one of the first journalists at the scene of the 1984 Brighton bombing, having been in Brighton's Grand Hotel at the time of the explosion.

REST IN PEACE!!

takersbabe · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-05, 22:27

:( poor richard he was a nice guy

Jason · #3 (**permalink**) 26-06-05, 22:36

I like Countdown........it wont be the same....................I wonder what will happen now!

davesatan · #4 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 06:24

sadly missed what an intelligent man

janet · #5 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 07:08

Richard always came across as a great guy.He was countdown, i do not think they should continue with the programme after the recorded ones have been shown.

Darkstar · #6 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 07:43

What a shame, 61 is a young age to pass away these days.

Kiki · #7 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 08:19

Very sad news, a lovely cheerful man!

Jason · #8 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 16:46

Carol Vorderman was crying on Tv earlier........its so sad to see that............she said she "Loved him".

grannyclaret · #9 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 19:10

she loved him as a person jason ,,,,not sex..
he was a very lovable person
my condolences go to kathryn, and his family
goodbye to the mayor of wetwang .........

Jason · #10 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 19:23

I didn't mean sex when i spoke about it G.C!!!!!!!!!!

grannyclaret · #11 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 19:25

oops sorry jason....

wayneyboy1942 · #12 (**permalink**) 27-06-05, 22:15

I hate the show cos I can't spell or add up! :(
but the bloke seemed a nice guy, it just goes to show you, you should live life to the full, as we don't know how long we've got!

davesatan · #13 (**permalink**) 28-06-05, 07:26

made me laugh http://www.geekgifts.co.uk/countdown/

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