Richard Whiteley

John Richard Whiteley, OBE , DL (28 December 1943 – 26 June 2005) was a British television presenter and journalist. He was most famous for his 23-year stint as presenter of Countdown, a letters and numbers arrangement game show broadcast daily on Channel 4. An edition of Countdown was the launch programme for Channel 4 at 4:45pm on 2 November 1982, and Whiteley was the first person to be seen on the channel. His trademarks were his jolly, avuncular manner; his gift for bad puns; and bold wardrobe (particularly jackets and ties).

Early life

Whiteley was born in Baildon, in Yorkshire near Bradford, in 1943. His father, Kenneth Whiteley, was the third (and last) generation to run the family worsted mill, Thomas Whiteley & Co, in nearby Eccleshill. The mill closed in 1963.

Related Topics:
Baildon - Yorkshire - Bradford - 1943 - Worsted - Mill - Eccleshill - 1963

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Whiteley showed early academic talent, and won a scholarship to Giggleswick School: there, he was taught English by Russell Harty, and took his A levels at the age of 16; later, until his death, he was a Governor of the School. He studied English at Christ's College, Cambridge where he received, in his words, "a crappy Third". While at Cambridge, he edited the university's newspaper, Varsity.

Related Topics:
Giggleswick School - English - Russell Harty - A level - Christ's College - Cambridge - Third - Varsity

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