
Richard Whiteley
Known for Acting · 14 credits
- Born
- 1943-12-28
- Died
- 2005-06-26
- Place of birth
- Bradford, England, Uk
Biography
John Richard Whiteley OBE DL (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. Countdown was the launch program for Channel 4 at 4:45 pm on 2 November 1982, and Whiteley was the first person to be seen on the channel (not counting a program montage). Despite his intelligence, Whiteley enjoyed projecting the image of an absent-minded eccentric. His trademarks were his jolly, avuncular manner, his fondness for puns, and his bold, sometimes garish wardrobe.
Thanks to over twenty years' worth of nightly installments of Countdown as well as his work on the Yorkshire magazine program Calendar and various other television projects, at the time of his death Whiteley was believed to have clocked more hours on British television screens—and more than 10,000 appearances—than anyone else alive, apart from Carole Hersee, the young girl who appeared on the BBC's Test Card F.
Known For
TV Shows (12)

Top Gear
2002
as Self

Have I Got News for You
1990
as Self

The Paul O'Grady Show
2004

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
2002
as Self

Shooting Stars
1993
as Self
The Terry and Gaby Show
2003

Noel's House Party
1991

Countdown
1982
as Self - Host
It's Only TV But I Like It
1999
as Self
The Keith Barret Show
2004

Calendar Countdown
1982
as Host
Calendar
1968
Movies (2)
About Richard Whiteley
John Richard Whiteley OBE DL (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. Countdown was the launch program for Channel 4 at 4:45 pm on 2 November 1982, and Whiteley was the first person to be seen on the channel (not counting a program montage). Despite his intelligence, Whiteley enjoyed projecting the image of an absent-minded eccentric. His trademarks were his jolly, avuncular manner, his fondness for puns, and his bold, sometimes garish… With 14 credits spanning from 1968 to 2004, Richard Whiteley has appeared in 2 films and 12 TV shows.
Fans searching for Richard Whiteley movies, Richard Whiteley filmography, or the latest projects starring Richard Whiteley can stream many of these titles on CineFlixo, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Whiteley Movies
- The Brighton Bomb (2004) — as Self
- A Bronte Christmas (1980)
Where to Watch Richard Whiteley Films
Most Richard Whiteley movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Richard Whiteley, check our movies catalogue and browse page.

