Richard Whiteley

I don't think it's in any way disrespectful for a radio tribute to include some of the Countdown theme. It was after all to many his signature tune, and has also been featured on most of the TV packages I've seen. Listening to Minster FM (the station which Richard Whiteley helped to set up) this afternoon, they broadcast an excellent package in their lunchtime news which included local tributes and clips of Richard on both Calendar and Countdown and some of the accompanying theme tunes. It all seemed tasteful, sensitive and appropriate. For such a bright and cheery personality, I think it would be far more inappropriate to broadcast a po-faced, straight-laced obituary.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting him once at a shop opening in my local town. The affection the public held for him was clear. I particularly liked the way he got the whole crowd to hum the Countdown theme whilst he moved his arm around as if the pointer of the clock. The shop was officially open on the final 'doo'.

Since it's likely that Countdown may no longer be produced because of yesterdays sad news, I wonder if C4 would
be willing to recommission a new series their other long running daytime gameshow, Fifteen To One in it's place?

Or, will they more likely just commission yet another dull lifestyle or home related program instead . . . ?

No Countdown today out of respect to Richard's family and friends. According to the announcer, the quater final of Countdown will be shown tomorrow at 3:15.

I don't see what's wrong with that.... there's bound to be some stations who will want a copy for use in a package. Seems a perfectly sensible and logical thing to do

I understand that - but when that was the single cut for the hour - I was a little baffled. With ID cards now rising to the top, the old road camera map story was running this morning as well as other stuff. Just seemed a little silly to me - but then why change the habit of a lifetime.

I didn't hear that. Any chance of putting it on here?

Don't most IRN cuts appear on the Net Newsroom now anyway, or don't you guys use it yet?

Countdown will continue tomorrow, with the Grand final on Friday as scheduled, followed by a tribute at 4pm.

Would tomorrow show two episodes of 'Coontdoon'

No. All English regions now jump straight from the end of the six to the local news without an ident. Besides, I don't think BBC Yorkshire have their variation of any ident except skateboarders, tai chi and acrobats.

Well, This Is Your Life carried on without Eamon Andrews and Desert Island Dicks carried on without Roy Plomey, We Are the Champions did have a couple of special shows without Ron Pickering and John Peel's Radio 1 slot did the same too and they have been done longer that Countdown. Have there been any other long running programmes which carried on after the originial host died

Maybe before the Six O'clock News

Discussion on Richard & Judy now. Deeply upsetting for all the team at Channel 4, as can be seen.