| Location | Bradford - West Yorkshire |
| Age | 62 years |
| Date of Death | 25/06/2005 |
| Visitors | 28,272 since 28/06/2005 |
| Creator |
TV presenter and veteran journalist Richard Whiteley died in hospital on Sunday 26th June 2005, aged
61. He had recently been admitted to hospital with pneumonia and died tragically just days after
receiving heart surgery.
He was best known as the face of Channel 4 quiz show Countdown, a favourite with students throughout
the country, but also could count the Queen and George Clooney amongst its fans. Countdown was the
first programme shown on Channel 4 when it launched in 1982, and Richard clocked up more hours on
television screens than anyone else alive as the presenter.
He was born in 1943 in Bradford, West Yorkshire and went to school in Giggleswick, where he was
taught English by another celebrity Russell Harty. He was recruited into the ITN graduate scheme in
1965, having studied English at Christ’s College Cambridge. This saw the start of his career with
Yorkshire Television, which he joined as a news reporter. He became a political reporter, and
interviewed every Prime Minister since Harold MacMillian, including Margaret Thatcher, whom he was
first to interview after the Brighton Bombing in 1984.
Honoured with an OBE in June 2004, he leaves behind partner Kathryn Apanowicz and son James.
ict
you are the best. you are missed. i lkied it when you did the channel 4 quiz show countdown rest in pease.
ict
you are the best. you are missed. i liked it when you did the channel 4 quiz show countdown rest in pease.
Your sadly missed
Richard, may you rest in loveing peace. I know your up there with the greatest, giving them a hard time. My mums up there with you & she loves you & the game. Look after her for me. your family miss you, but know your spirit is with them.x
God Bless
After being in Germany for a few months, we returned home and was suprised to see a different presenter on Countdown. At first I thought that Richard must have been on holiday, but a reference to his passing away on one of the shows left tears in my eyes..I was distraught.
I didn't watch it as much as I would have liked (babies) but will always remember his smiles and jokes, which brightened up the show.
When my first daughter was only 18-24 months old, she learnt letters very quickly, partly attributable to Countdown, I'm sure.
From the few months I spent back in England, the show didn't seem the same.
Unfortunately I can't even get it over here (Germany), but I shall endeavour to teach my 2 girls when they are older, as I think it is a great concept.
A great presenter (and personality), an awful loss.
You will be in my memories.
Rest In Peace Richard
I was sorry to hear about your death. I watch Countdown all the time and you were brilliant on it. It's not as good now because you are never there. RIP.
Richard whitely is a legend, he will be sadly missed!! i am only 16 but i used to really like countdown!!!! It will never be the same agian without him there
RIP
Richard whitely is a legend, he will be sadly missed!! i am only 16 but i used to really like countdown!!!! It will never be the same agian without him there
RIP
thanks for the memories richard
i can remember meeting richard during the labour party conference in 1997 he came across as a very nice man he signed an autograph for me and was pleasant to talk to. i also saw his one man show at the komedia in brighton. i lost my football ticket for brighton and hove albions game. someone found it and handed it to him and just like him he passed a comment about the football team. i miss you very much rich countdown is not the same without you.
god bless you
brian
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