Countdown will never be the same again...

26 Jun 2005

Sad news today.
Richard Whitely died today, aged 61.
Link

26 Jun 2005

Quote by flapjackboy
Sad news today.
Richard Whitely died today, aged 61.
Link here

Oh thats really sad sad

The kids love watching countdown so we knew he wasn't well but 61 is no age at all :cry:

26 Jun 2005

ohh thats sad
never watched countdown but death is always sad :cry:

26 Jun 2005

"raises a glass and say rest in peace and see you soon"
crystal

26 Jun 2005

a great man, he will be remembered....

26 Jun 2005

He'll definatly be missed by myself. I just to love the way he struggled with his jokes, he thought they were funny but no one else was on his wavelength.
I didn't think he looked that bad though.
It's a sad day for TV, that's for sure

26 Jun 2005

Quote by vodka_babe22uk
will always remember when he was gocha erd by noel his face
he will be sadly missed after 20 yrs doing countdown
a educational proggrame that has helped many childern

and carol vorderman has entertained more adults..... :twisted: alledgedly...lol

26 Jun 2005

I was sad when I heard the news this evening. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
Then I got to thinking about his funeral, and wondered .................. if he is cremated, will they play the Countdown Music just as the curtains start to close on the coffin?? confused

:? :?

:lol:

26 Jun 2005

Yes indeed, a great loss to television..

26 Jun 2005

While not wanting to get into a discussion about how good Countdown or Whitely was or was not, he had certainly become one of these great British institutions (like Sid James, Terry Scott etc,) and it is sad when an institution passes - partiicularly at an age that is not considered that elderly by todays standards.
As for the Countdown music at the funeral, I have a sneaking idea that Whitely himself would have regarded Sarge's idea as a good joke .

27 Jun 2005

Channel 4 without Richard Whitely, that'll take some getting used to - like tea without biscuits. :cry:
The hymn numbers at his memorial will be...
One from the top and five from anywhere else.

27 Jun 2005

Poor man...
I knew he was ill, but i didnt know to what extent. There are going to be tears in the morning when my mother finds out.
Going to be very sadly missed. They should stop the programme now, he and Carol made it was it is.

27 Jun 2005

Quite sad here, one of the few programs me and Demon watched together...
we didn't even know of his illness....
rest in peace.....

27 Jun 2005

Quote by Sgt Bilko

Then I got to thinking about his funeral, and wondered .................. if he is cremated, will they play the Countdown Music just as the curtains start to close on the coffin?? :? :? :lol:

Sarge, if you read Flapjackboy's link, you will see that the truth is even stranger than your jokes! :lol:

Countdown's many fans, who included the Queen and Hollywood star George Clooney, could be obsessive in their passion for what Whiteley once proudly called a "low-tech parlour game".
In 2002 one of them was cremated to the strains of the 30-second version of the Countdown signature tune that accompanies the daily "conundrum" round.

Yes, Richard Whiteley was very popular, especially here in Yorkshire, and will be much missed.
Mike.

27 Jun 2005

OMG i heard the news, its such a shame, I first offer my condoloances to the family and friends of Richard Whitley.
i spent the good part of 5 years (colledge and Uni) watching countdown. I must admit i was terrible at the word rounds but i was mutch better at the numbers round.
MikeC

27 Jun 2005

shame and young by todays standards
23 years of the show ( i think ? not totally sure )
probably one of the most recognised faces of tv
rip

27 Jun 2005

Aw, I liked him sad

27 Jun 2005

What will Wet Wang do without their Mayor ??
He seemed a nice guy................ countdown wont be the same............. NO !

27 Jun 2005

Met him a few times. He was exactly the same in "real life" as he was on TV. It wasn't an act, even the bad jokes.
A very genial character.
Very sad.

27 Jun 2005

Quote by MikeNorth

Then I got to thinking about his funeral, and wondered .................. if he is cremated, will they play the Countdown Music just as the curtains start to close on the coffin?? :? :? :lol:

Sarge, if you read Flapjackboy's link, you will see that the truth is even stranger than your jokes! :lol:

In 2002 one of them was cremated to the strains of the 30-second version of the Countdown signature tune that accompanies the daily "conundrum" round.

It wasn't a joke Mike, more an observation!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

27 Jun 2005

RIP Twice -a-night Whitely
countdown will not be the same again....
sad

:(

27 Jun 2005

A classic, unseen clip from Countdown.

27 Jun 2005

This proves to me once again there is no justice in death - may his God go with him. :yinyang:

28 Jun 2005

a great man sadly missed

28 Jun 2005

R.I.P.
A sad day for British television.
The WHOOSH Manâ„¢

28 Jun 2005

He will be missed
even his bad taste in ties
Yorkshires lost a great personality
Rest In Peace Richard