I think Carol got especially choked by saying "the clock stopped too soon" because it's the dedication she included on the flowers she left by Richard's portrait in reception at Yorkshire.
I seem to remember a long time ago watching a clip of Richard Whiteley being the only one not in on a joke which involved the letters picked adding up to OMETHINGS, and then he joked about it possibly being easy, then everyone said they only got 5 letters or 4, and the expression on his face was classic. I'm almost sure it was Noels House Party or something, must of been a gotcha. I can almost imagine Noel Edmonds appearing from nowhere right now.
Yes, this was shown on Jeremy Beadle's Favourite Celebrity Stictch-Ups the other week, cropped to buggery of course but at least they got the actors on to talk about it.
I recorded yesterday's and today's editions on DVD (due to the fact I've been in work at 3.15pm on both days) but Carol's speech was really emotional, you can tell she had been greatly affected by his death, it's hard to think that it technically is no more, it is really sad.
Just watched part of Today's edition, a nice announcement by Gary Terrza at the beginning saying that this week we're showing episodes that were recored before Richard passed away and that we've consolled with his family and they believe it is right to show them, though that watching these episodes might be upsetting, we would want to enjoy it as you would.
They've announced that there will be a funeral held soon that will be open to family and friends only, but also a memorial service that will take place in September.
So, "Richard Whiteley - Television Man" is on Channel 4 at 2.30pm. It was originally an hour so it looks like it's being edited down?.
One of the funniest bits is when Liz Dawn says "He should be knighted, 'Sir Richard Madeley' .......... WHITELEY!" and then bursts into one of her Vera Duckworth style laughs
From what I've seen, the producers of Countdown are asking people on Yahoo Groups to help them find some best bits of Countdown, i.e. Richard giving Carol "Himof" for her birthday etc
So maybe the memorial show may be a bit different to what everybody is expecting!
From what I've seen, the producers of Countdown are asking people on Yahoo Groups to help them find some best bits of Countdown, i.e. Richard giving Carol "Himof" for her birthday etc
So maybe the memorial show may be a bit different to what everybody is expecting!
There's 2 special shows.
2.30pm Richard Whiteley - Television Man
(Originally seen on Yorkshire Television in November 2003)
3.15pm Countdown Grand Final
(Richard's last TV appearnce, I'm sure this will be very upsetting viewing)
4.00pm Mr Countdown: A Tribute to Richard Whiteley
(In this tribute to the Countdown host who died at the weekend aged 61, friends and colleagues including Carol Vorderman, Susie Dent, Esther Rantzen, Tim Rice and Geoffrey Durham look back at the Countdown career of the man who was the self-styled "mayor in the chair" for 23 years and over 4,000 shows)
And as said above, ITV Yorkshire are showing the documentary again at 11pm on Thursday, replacing the advertised programme
The number and speed of tribute programmes just shows how much of a popular presener he was
The number and speed of tribute programmes just shows how much of a popular presener he was
I think the amount of pages this thread has gone on for can also say that. Other threads like this barely got to 2 pages. However it's most certainly deservedly so.
I dont think its been mentioned yet, but Ch4 are planning on continuing Countdown with the guest presenters. The show will be given a 'rest' over the summer before a new series is shown. A decision has yet to be made whether to continue with a cycle of guest presenters a la Have I Got News.. or to appoint a permanent host. Discussions will be held between Ch4, Yorkshire TV and Carol to see how they would feel about continuing with further series.
There would have to be a huge change of format if that happens. It just won't work the same otherwise. That studio and set has Whiteley written all over it.
I dont think its been mentioned yet, but Ch4 are planning on continuing Countdown with the guest presenters. The show will be given a 'rest' over the summer before a new series is shown. A decision has yet to be made whether to continue with a cycle of guest presenters a la Have I Got News.. or to appoint a permanent host. Discussions will be held between Ch4, Yorkshire TV and Carol to see how they would feel about continuing with further series.
I can't see that happening, Channel 4 and Yorkshire probably want the show to continue as it is very popular, but I don't think Carol would be able to go on with it, at least they're giving the show a rest for the Summer, so a decision can be made. I think it's too soon after Richard's death to make a decision on the future of the show, leave it for a week or two at least.
RE: The popularity of him seems to be backed up on many websites that have several running topics of Richard Whiteley and Countdown, shows how much he will be remembered.
It's a shame the full documentary from ITV Yorkshire can't be networked, but at least it will be shown on Channel 4.
As C4 have said that the show is to continue, I expect the earliest the show will return to screens is October / November after the memorial service.
I do however wonder if this might be 'stalling' and that the final decision is still some time off as to whether the show will continue. It might seem heartless if they decided to pull the programme before the memorial service is held.
Watch this space, I suspect as the next couple of months will be full of rumour, counter rumour and denial,