Countdown host 'stable'

Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley was in a stable condition in hospital yesterday after being struck with pneumonia.

The 61-year-old was taken into intensive care at Bradford Royal Infirmary after falling ill on Friday.

His Countdown colleague Carol Vorderman said: 'He's the one who holds everyone together and makes us laugh. We all want him back in his chair telling bad jokes.'

Yorkshire Television said the quiz show would continue to be screened as normal as it was recorded in advance.