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We all loved Uncle Richard
Written by yorkguides.co.uk   
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR

COUNTDOWN star Carol Vorderman choked back tears yesterday as she paid tribute to co-host Richard Whiteley, saying: “The viewers loved him, I loved him.”
 And she told how the man they called “Mr Countdown” would have people rolling with laughter as they filmed.

Richard — who hosted the letters quiz for 23 years — died on Sunday aged 61 after a seven-week battle with pneumonia.

Carol, 44, said: “He was Countdown, Countdown was him.”
Describing him as like a “favourite uncle” with bad dress sense she added: “I adored him. As years went by he got happier and happier, he would burst into the studio, he was such a happy man.”


The Queen, a Countdown fan, was said to be “saddened”.

The Duchess of York paid tribute to Richard’s charity work. She said: “His enthusiasm and generosity of spirit were boundless.”

Thousands sent messages to the show’s Leeds studios. Yorkshire TV’s flag was at half mast.

Chat host Richard Madeley, 49 — who started his career with Richard on Yorkshire TV’s Calendar show — said: “He was so nice.”


Ex-cricket umpire Dickie Bird, 72, a close pal, said: “He was an amazing character.”

MP Austin Mitchell, an ex TV colleague, said: “Viewers identified with him.”



GMTV’s John Stapleton, 59, said: “He was a warm, generous man.”

Richard’s long time girlfriend ex-Corrie actress Kathryn Apanowicz was “inconsolable.” She said: “I will miss him desperately.”

A pre-recorded Countdown show was postponed yesterday. Channel 4 plan to show several unscreened episodes as a tribute.
 
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