RICHARD WHITELY HAS DIED

[JoolsToo]

Oh isn't that sad. I was hoping the title was a joke.

Very sad indeed.
Carol Vorderman will be very upset.

can't believe it.

Very sad. When I lived in Yorkshire he was a regular in one of the pubs I used to frequent. I think dh met him and Kathy socially a few times too. They were very nice.

I've subtitled him loads recently. Am very Doesn't feel right at all - he was an institution.

Oh no, how awful.

OMG. I really thought this thread was a joke.

I have auditioned twice for countdown, but have been unsuccessful both times. Now I will never get to meet him.

I thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends

too

. Read about this on teletext. DH gone to bed in a pout, as i said i was too upset about RW to go with him! Really can't believe he has died - I love Countdown. I hope they stop the series and don't try to replace him. Rest in peace.

How could he be replaced? Jokes only Richard can tell, BAFOs - oh dear, I think that I liked subtitling it more than I thought I did!

It's a sad end to a national institution

Countdown will NEVER be the same

P.S you ok tonight hunker?

Yes, I'm OK, thanks sweetheart - should have been in bed an hour ago, feel v sick and am stupidly pg hormonally upset about this. Was very fond of RW, daft, I know.

Nothing daft about that HM

I grew up with countdown (not literally) as did most of us and it was great!!!

Aww, bless him. what a loss.

My sympathies go to his wife/partner - they seemed a very happy couple.

He was never my cup of tea (hate Countdown), but all the same.

He was the spitting image of my FIL who also died of heart probs last year. They met once or twice and everyone commented on it. I am very sad for his partner and family.

very .

Agree with above post, very sad.

Poor Richard Whiteley and his family and girlfriend.

When my first baby (dd)got colic, Countdown used to be on at around 4pm and it was my savour as I paced around with a screaming baby.

When number 2 (ds) arrived, I used to feed him watching Countdown while dd watched with me and eventually learned all her capital letters from it.

He seemed to be the sort of person who would go on for ever.

I didn't even know he was ill. It must be a terrible shock for his family and friends, 61 is way too young. I love countdown, but he made the show I doubt they will be able to replace him.

ds used to practice his letters along with the game and Countdown was a point of sanity in an otherwise fuzzy day when he was little.

OMG I've only just seen this, I didn't know he was ill either, feel quite sad for his friends and family.

He was just such a 'good egg'. Such a shame!

I became addicted to Countdown whilst on Mat. Leave.

I had forgotten he was such a respected and incisive political reporter before he chose presenting. He was the first reporter to interview Margaret Thatcher after the Grand Hotel Bombing.
I am ashamed to say I always considered him a genial and charming lightweight. He wore his learning and knowledge very lightly. And it's so obvious from the papers and telly this morning that people who worked with him all loved him.