Lynam: Whiteley "a national treasure"

Des Lynam, who makes his Countdown presenting debut on October 31, has called Richard Whiteley "a national treasure" and admitted to feeling some anxiety about taking on the role.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Lynam said:

"There's a little bit of anxiety because I'm following Richard Whiteley, who was a national treasure and much loved - and the only one who ever fronted the programme. It's the sort of thing I've never done before."

Richard Whiteley presented Countdown for over twenty years. He died at the age of 61 after heart surgery on June 26.