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If Richard Whiteley dies, Will Countdown still be on?

(May 2005)

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NW
nwtv2003
Jez posted:
Brekkie Boy posted:
If Carol did host I think the most likely thing is they'd get a new assistant to do the letter but they'd put the numbers board by the desk with Carol still doing them.


In the early days of the show didnt they used to have someone else do the letters and Carol just did the numbers?


There used to be 4 women doing the Letters and Numbers, then it went to 2, which was Carol Voderman and Beverley Isherwood, then it became Carol only from about 1988.
JE
Jenny Founding member
nwtv2003 posted:
Jez posted:
In the early days of the show didnt they used to have someone else do the letters and Carol just did the numbers?


There used to be 4 women doing the Letters and Numbers, then it went to 2, which was Carol Voderman and Beverley Isherwood, then it became Carol only from about 1988.


In the early days, Kathy Hytner put up the letters and Beverley Isherwood the numbers. Carol's role was more like a numbers equivalent of the lexicographer, just checking the answers and providing better ones (originally she alternated in this role with Linda Barrett). Then after about a year, Bev and Linda were laid off and it was cut down to Kathy doing the letters and Carol doing the numbers. Kathy stayed until 1987, there were a couple of short-lived replacements, and finally in 1989 Carol took over the whole lot.
SC
scottishender
Jenny posted:
nwtv2003 posted:
Jez posted:
In the early days of the show didnt they used to have someone else do the letters and Carol just did the numbers?


There used to be 4 women doing the Letters and Numbers, then it went to 2, which was Carol Voderman and Beverley Isherwood, then it became Carol only from about 1988.


In the early days, Kathy Hytner put up the letters and Beverley Isherwood the numbers. Carol's role was more like a numbers equivalent of the lexicographer, just checking the answers and providing better ones (originally she alternated in this role with Linda Barrett). Then after about a year, Bev and Linda were laid off and it was cut down to Kathy doing the letters and Carol doing the numbers. Kathy stayed until 1987, there were a couple of short-lived replacements, and finally in 1989 Carol took over the whole lot.


So maybe if Richard's gone, Carol can do the presenting and jokes as well as the number cruncher
RD
rdobbie
Or they could just keep using Richard Whitely, splash him with a bit of embalming fluid, I don't think most people would notice much difference.
R2
r2ro
Who is the backup presenter in case Richard Whitely is ill. Surely they could just use that person?
AN
Andrew Founding member
r2ro posted:
Who is the backup presenter in case Richard Whitely is ill. Surely they could just use that person?

They'd just cancel filming, its not filmed every day you know.
CR
cromerlad
Best wishes to Richard...

Isn't it bizarre that he's suffering the same illness that BBC South East Today's Geoff Clarke is currently battleing???
NH
Nick Harvey Founding member
Eh?

What, Geoff Clarke's dead as well?

So will Glen Thompsett finally replace him and get the BBC gig?
PT
Put The Telly On
you sad, uncaring brat.


Wink
JO
Johnny83
When I saw the title of this topic I though it was a bit distasteful but have to be honest I laughted at the idea of the music been played as he dissapeared Very Happy

In all seriousness Hope he gets well soon
IT
I T V 1
The Countdown is sadly ticking...
AN
Andrew Founding member
On Calendar tonight they gave an update, saying he was slowly improving and is still stable.

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