Richard Whiteley

[hopalong]

Sad news is that Richard Whiteley has died.  A great presenter of a great quiz show

[amron]

hey hopalong that is sad isn't it? I did a double take when I saw your post and no offence checked on the bbc news web site. My mum loved that show.

[the.dr]

when the f##k did tht happen?! and how??

[amron]

said on www.bbcnews.co.uk that he has been ill for a long time .

[B00]

I didnt even know he was ill untill I saw a thread about it on here weeks ago. Very sad news :(

[bernardo]

He was rushed to hospital on 6th May with pneumonia and was very seriously ill for a couple of weeks.  Then he was slowly recovering and this week was reported to be improving but still poorly.

[bernardo]

here is the previous question which mentioned it a wupple of keeks ago.

[bernardo]

Oh, and I think that the first in the series of episodes with guest presenters (i.e. the various celebs from dikshunry corner) is (or was) due to be broadcast on 4th July onwards.

[Robinia]

Yes it's very sad.  I love Countdown  (especially when Rick Wakeman's on).  So sorry for his partner Kathryn.

[acw]

I was so shocked.  I knew he was ill, but I just expected him to make a full recovery.  Mind you my Mum's friend died of pneumonia in her 50's so I suppose I knew it was possible.  It's very sad that he's died though.  Only a few days ago I saw one of the clips of him answering the 20 questions.... "I'd like to be remembered as the first face on Channel 4".

[luckystrike]

Yes, it's sad news.  I was quite shocked when I heard on the radio this morning in the car.  He was a funny man.

[nicola_red]

I'm gutted!  Such a great presenter and the first face on C4 of course.  I watched Countdown religiously when I wasn't working a few years ago.  A sad loss.

[Dark Angel]

yes, it was surprising news. just learnt about it on this thread. Was a fan of countdown several years ago, and found Richard Whiteley charming and likeable because of his unassuming nature. Enjoyed the banter between him and Carol Voderman.

[Cockney_si]

A tragic loss....As a mark of respect I shall wear my lairiest tie as a mark of respect on the day of his funeral.
Sure he would have wanted people to do that.

....not sure if Channel 4 afternoons will be the same without the guy.

[ShellyHall]

I hadn't heard he was ill, this is sad news.  Was shocked when I heard on the radio this morning that he'd died.

He seemed the sort of guy you could have round for a cuppa and a good old chinwag. 

[kick3m0n]

I was really shocked to hear the news. After his heart op, the papers said he was recovering well, so the worsening of his condition was obviously unexpected.  My thoughts are with Kathryn and his family and friends.  He was a very funny and entertaining man, and Countdown will never, ever be the same again.

[mystress]

I too am sadened at the death of Richard,sure they cannot contunue "Countdown" without him?

However,have you noticed that in all the interviews(with friends,colleagues and the public) whilst the top part of their faces are sad,their mouths cannot help but turn into a smile when talking of him,can anyone ask for a better memorial?

[brachiopod]

I, too, was totally shocked when I heard last night (Sunday).

I totally understood it that (as of last night) whilst they were wheeling out 'celebs' to say 'how sorry they were' and how 'they once worked with him on Yorkshire TV in 1979' , Carol Vorderman and, indeed, Terry Wogan remained too upset to even make a statement.

Despite the cynic in me (and not particularly liking Terry Wogan), I found this exceptionally touching.

 

He will be sadly missed.