TV's Whiteley stable in hospital

Whiteley plays a word game with the media at Buckingham Palace

Countdown host Richard Whiteley is said to be in a stable condition in hospital after being admitted with pneumonia.

Whiteley, who is 61 and from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary on Friday.

A Yorkshire Television spokeswoman said: "All his colleagues and friends wish him well and hope he will soon be back behind the Countdown desk."

She said the company filmed the word quiz in advance for Channel 4 and it would be screened as normal.

She added: "We can confirm Mr Whiteley has been taken ill and has got pneumonia. He is currently in a stable condition in hospital."

Whiteley has been presenting Countdown since 1982, when it was the first show to be broadcast on the fledgling Channel 4.

It was originally planned to run for five weeks but now has regular viewing figures of four million.

Last November, Whiteley was honoured with an OBE from the Queen, who is said to be a fan, as was the late Queen Mother.