Richard Whiteley, the presenter of Channel 4 quiz Countdown, died suddenly yesterday.

The 61-year-old, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, was thought to be on the road to recovery after suffering for some time with pneumonia.

He had undergone a heart operation two days ago at Leeds General Infirmary and was said to be doing well. But friends and loved ones received the news last night that he had died.

His Channel 4 Countdown co-presenter Carol Vorderman was "absolutely devastated" by his death.

Her agent, John Miles, said he had spoken to her yesterday morning and Mr Whiteley was fine. He then received a call from her yesterday evening bearing the bad news.

"Carol is absolutely devastated, she is so devastated," he said.

"He was such a good friend whom she loved dearly. They had 23 years of making programmes together, that's about 4,000 programmes. He was very special to Carol."

Until he fell ill, Mr Whiteley, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, had not missed an episode of Countdown in 23 years of presenting the quiz.

A decision was to be taken overnight on whether to broadcast today's edition of Countdown, which would have featured Mr Whiteley.

He has appeared on screen for the past few weeks as the shows were recorded.

From next Monday, the programme was to have been hosted by a number of celebrity guest presenters, including Esther Rantzen.

Last night, she said: "They won't be able to replace him. He will be hugely missed."

Friend and fellow presenter Terry Wogan said he was too upset to speak fully.

"I'm shocked. It's terrible news," he said.

Mr Whiteley, who held the honorary position of Mayor of Wetwang, in East Yorkshire, owned a house in East Witton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

His last public appearance was at Leyburn Food and Drink Festival, last month.

Last year, he was awarded an OBE.