New Presenter For Countdown!

[Bryan]

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/C/countdown/images/countdown_main_414.jpg

Since the sad news that Richard Whitelty had died, Countdown has been off our screens, but it is set to return this october with a new presenter!

Since its historic launch 23 years ago, Countdown continues to be the bedrock of the Channel 4 daytime schedule.


Des Lynam now joins Carol and the Countdown team and will begin filming at the Leeds based studios in October. He said: "Channel 4 came to me out of the blue and I was flattered and surprised to be asked to present Countdown - a show of which I have always been a fan. It will be a hugely difficult task to replace Richard Whiteley but I'm very much looking forward to working with Carol Vorderman who, I am sure, will lead me by the hand and steer me through it."

Carol Vorderman also said: "Des and I have known each other for nearly 10 years and we've always got on really well. All the Countdown family has missed Countdown, and our wonderful Countdown viewers have been so supportive to us, Kathy and all of Richard's family throughout his illness and eventual passing. We all know that it won't ever be the same without him but Des has always been a Countdown viewer and had a huge respect for Richard. In that we find great comfort."

[Bryan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/presenters/media/lynam_pub1.jpg

About Desmond Lynam

Born in Ennis, County Clare, Des worked in insurance before starting his broadcasting career as a reporter for Radio Brighton in 1968. He joined BBC Radio 2 within a year, presenting Sports Report and moved to BBC Television in 1978.

For over 20 years, Des was the BBC's main sports anchorman, presenting Match of the Day, Grandstand and all major sporting events including the Olympic Games, Wimbledon, the World Cup and the Grand National. In 1998, he had a cameo role in Arthur Smith's film for the BBC, My Summer With Des. Other programmes he presented include How Do They Do That?, Sportsnight, Points of View and The Holiday Programme. Des had his own Friday drive-time show on BBC Radio 2.

In August 1999, Des moved from the BBC to ITV to anchor their live football coverage, primarily the Champions' League, Euro 2000 and the World Cup 2002. In June 2000 ITV acquired the rights to broadcast Premier League highlights from August 2001 and Des presented their flagship programme, The Premiership for the last three seasons. He also hosted the BAFTA Television Awards in 2000. Des left ITV after presenting their coverage of Euro 2004.

Des returned to the BBC in August 2004 with a new series for Radio Five Live, Des Meets... in which he conducted one-on-one interviews with major sporting figures. He has been the guest presenter of Have I Got News for You on BBC1 three times. In May this year, he hosted We'll Meet Again, BBC1's flagship programme for the 60th anniversary celebrations of VE Day.

In 1985, 1987, 1988, 1993 and 1997, Des was voted Sports Presenter of the Year by the Television and Radio Industries Club. He was chosen by the Radio Times and Open Air as Male Television Personality of the Year in 1989. In 1994 and 1998 he won the Royal Television Society's award for Sports Presenter of the Year and in 2003 he was presented with their Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also presented with the much-coveted BAFTA Richard Dimbleby Award for the Year's Most Important Personal Contribution on Screen in Factual Television in 1994.

[dddMac1]

it will never be the same without Richard

[Debs]

no i agree richard was the best on countdown and it will never be the same to watch! him and carol were such a great team

[Chris_2k11]

I think they should just end the show now. It wont be the same without him.

[hazey]

Although Desmond has been awarded lots of times for his work on tv,it has nearly always been sport related. I think he will do his best to present the show well and give some humour to it, but I don't think it can ever be the same. I remember sitting on the settee waiting for channel four to start broadcasting and seeing Richard,he was a hit from the start. As good as Desmond may be,he can not really replace Richard.