Richard Whiteley

I think they will continue to air the guest presenter episodes and that the Countdown show will go on, if only because there's not a lot of choice in the matter, being that there's sod all else to fill the 3:15-4pm slot with at this time, plus it's more convienant for C4.

Plus if the guest presenter thing pays off in the ratings, it'll help the programme's cause, until a new permanent presenter can be found should they choose to go down that route or down a HIGNFY route.

This is the most shocking and devastating news. He was a lovely, cheerful man and will be sadly missed by millions.

Rest in Peace, Richard.

Wow. Couldn't believe it.

Wonder what puns the tabloids have in store for us tomorrow.

I see Paul Winchell,the legendary voice of Walt Disney's Tigger has also turned his toes up.
A sad day in showbusiness for sure when these Leviathans of Light Entertainment turn in their Equity card.

He said in the YTV documentary about him that he expected the headline to be "Ferret Man Dies". I doubt it will be, but I'm sure that clip along with all his other famous moments will be shown tommorow

poor richard, he was a giant amongst the old faces of regional itv with bob at central and fred at meridian. he will indeed be missed.

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/070403centralbob30yrs14.jpg

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Quite simply, very sad. I hope Channel 4 make a presentation announcement after the film at 0015.

It's odd - this is a man who I've only ever known through a TV set - and I'm genuinely upset. I guess it's because someone who has always been around at teatime throughout my life is no longer going to be there, and it is another reminder of the fragile nature of life.

On the subject of the future of Countdown, I don't think that Channel 4 could simply replace him. The programme was and is his, and I think that if the programme is to continue, changes to the format should be made, to indicate a new era for the show. Another suggestion I've heard was to rename the show "Richard Whiteley's Countdown" - I don't think that this idea is feasible - but I like the idea of him remaining part of the show.

RIP Richard.......

Well as a kid, living in Yorkshire, Richard Whiteley was on virtually everyday presenting a regional programme of some sort, of course he presented Calendar for so many years, he was there and now sadly he has gone and we won't see him ever again on screen. Let's hope Yorkshire Television and Channel 4 can do a tribute tomorrow.

Being the first time I've (managed to get) logged on to TV Forum for a while, I was stunned to see the title of the 'latest post'. I thought perhaps it was a rumour or perhaps a tasteless joke... I just kept saying to myself, "No, surely not, surely not, surely not" - I opened the thread and couldn't believe what I was reading.

I haven't personally watched Countdown for quite a while but it was nice to know that it was there, for if I happened to be off work sick and tuned to Channel 4 mid-afternoon.

Actually, back in around 1992 when I was a sixth-form student, I was walking along the north shore at Blackpool carrying my battered old backpack full of books, and just as I was passing the Metropole Hotel I saw a man walking the other way that I thought "he doesn't half look like Richard Whiteley". As he got closer I couldn't help thinking how much he really DID look like Richard Whiteley. When we got within 6 feet of each other, I realised why. It WAS Richard Whiteley. We both just looked at each other in nervous bemusement, he walked his way (turning to go towards the hotel) and I walked mine (further on up the shore to my house). I assume he was covering a Tory Party Conference for Calendar.

Totally stunned, like everyone else I was sure that he'd pull through.

Sad news indeed.

RIP

I couldn't agree with you any more there, I feel quite saddened by the loss, considering the fact that myself and many others have been watching Countdown for many years, it's just so hard to believe that we will no longer see Richard and Carol at 3.15pm after this week. (depending on whether they show the episodes) Just a shame that the programme has gone on for this long very smoothly and just ends abruptly is just so sad, that there is no official last show either.

If Richard was getting better then having Guest presenters on Countdown wouldn't bother me as we knew that he would be coming back whilst he recovers. But now as he has passed away, I don't think the show can go on, it was always Richard and Carol's show and has been for many years without any change really.

The thing is that the show is part of many people's lives, even mine, guaranteed any day I'm in at 3.15pm I will watch some of Countdown, same goes for many others such as students and the elderly, it's something that I have got used to and same with many others. A major loss to Yorkshire aswell, as he was more well known amongst his viewers for being on Calendar for nearly 30 years.

Though personally I don't know Countdown's future now as they may continue with it or may not, but I remember reading sometime ago that Channel 4 and Yorkshire Television signed a contract to go on until 2009, whether this will still be the case, I can see it being unlikely.