TV host Richard Whiteley dies
LONDON (Reuters) - Television presenter Richard Whiteley, host of the long-running gameshow "Countdown", died in hospital on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia, a spokesman said. He was 61.
Whiteley was admitted to hospital with pneumonia last month and died on Sunday at Leeds General Infirmary, West Yorkshire, a spokesman for his co-host Carol Vorderman said.
"It's a complete shock," John Miles told Reuters. "He was such a lovely guy; a caring, loving character." He added that Vorderman was "devastated beyond belief".
Whiteley, who had presented the words and numbers quiz since the launch of Channel 4 in 1982, was in hospital for a heart operation, Miles said.
He was the first face to appear on Channel 4 and became one of its best known presenters. The programme was intended to run for five weeks.
Channel 4 said no decision had been made on the show's future. Plans to film new episodes with guest presenters while Whiteley was in hospital have been scrapped.
"We are shocked and saddened to hear of Richard's death," a spokesman said. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends."