ITN
Stars pay tribute to Richard Whiteley
Stars pay tribute to Richard Whiteley
The family and friends of Richard Whiteley have joined colleagues and fans for a service of thanksgiving for the popular presenter. Jo Brand, Lesley Garrett and Nicholas Owen were among the congregation at York Minster Cathedral. Carol Vorderman, who co-hosted the long-running quiz show Countdown with Whiteley, affectionately recalled his 'truly bad jackets and deafeningly loud ties'. Whiteley fronted Countdown for 23 years and was the first face on Channel 4 when the programme launched in November 1982. The show was originally supposed to run for five weeks but in 23 years Whiteley never missed an episode until he fell ill in May. His seat has now been filled by Des Lynam. Whiteley leaves behind his partner of 11 years, Kathryn Apanowicz, who shot to fame in EastEnders in the 1980s. He died in June after contracting pneumonia.
ITN | November 10, 2005
