With the words "as the countdown to the launch of a new channel ends, a new Countdown begins", Richard Whiteley was the first person to appear on Channel 4 as it went to air on 2 November, 1982.
Richard enjoyed a 40-year television career, beginning when he joined ITN as a trainee in 1965. As a born and bred Yorkshireman he joined YTV at its inception in 1968, and was anchorman of its flagship live news programme, Calendar, for over 20 years.
Born in Bradford in December 1943, Whiteley attended Giggleswick public school and Christ's College, Cambridge where he was editor of the student newspaper. But it was a career as a television journalist that would ultimately lead him to millions of living rooms as the much-loved presenter of Countdown.
Richard will be fondly remembered for his jackets and his puns, making him a cult figure from city board rooms to student common rooms. He appeared in an eclectic mix of shows such as TFI Friday, Shooting Stars, Mrs Merton, Blankety Blank and The Greatest Rory Ever Told. He also appeared in a specially-tailored version of Have I Got News For You, in Time Team, and he guest co-presented The Big Breakfast.
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