Countdown to return with new presenter

He has done it before, it would be ideal if he wanted to present.

How old would William G be?

70 a week or so ago according to IMDB. But then he's still younger than Michael Parkinson and he hosts a prime-time ITV1 chat show, so i'm sure he could handle Countdown!

It needs to be a long-term replacement, so someone around Carol's age.

Someone in the mould of Eamonn Holmes (though he said he won't do it) would be appropriate - younger but popular with the older generations.

Out of the Dictionary Corner guests Phillip Franks would be my choice.

Hows about Philip Schofield then?

It should be Giles Brandreth, a good friend of Richard's and a stalwart of Dictionary Corner since the series began. I imagine him to be popular with the students and the old dears as well.

He could wear a different coloured jumper every day in the same way Richard did with his ties.

I've always imagined Gyles taking over. I think it would be the best replacement. I just hope that when it does return they revamp the set and titles so its not in the shadow of Whiteley.

If they revamp it too much then fans of Countdown will most likely not watch it, and I think that will be a big problem, as I said without Richard Whiteley, it will be very difficult to see Countdown succeed in a new format.

How about Graham Norton? :

It's just so hard to imagine anyone else doing it.

I wonder will we ever get to see the guest presenter shows already recorded. I suppose with what are bound to have been frequent references to Richard in them, it will be hard to ever show them. I wonder how each of them performed?

Richard Whiteley's presentation of the programme changed a lot over the years in a way that other presenters did not. He used to seem quite stiff and formal, with little interplay with the contestants. Of course, that all eventually changed, and that's why he is probably such a tough act to follow.

I honestly haven't a clue who I think could or would do it sucessfully but, if a majority of viewers are just missing their favourite puzzle to play along to, it's probably right for it to go on.

I was under the impression that none of the guest presenter episodes were recorded, as Whiteley died before recording began.

Yep, no filming continued after Whiteley's death. All plans for guest presenters had been scrapped.