Richard Whiteley

John Richard Whiteley (28 December 1943 – 26 June 2005) was an English presenter, and journalist, best known for his twenty-three years as host of the game show Countdown. He was the first person to be seen on Channel 4 during the launch of Countdown in 1982. Whiteley was known for his jolly, avuncular manner, fondness for puns, and bold wardrobe choices. In addition to his work on Countdown, he appeared on the Yorkshire magazine programme Calendar and various other television projects. At the time of his death, Whiteley was believed to have made over 10,000 appearances on British television, making him one of the most well-known personalities in the industry.