ANYONE who buys a house because it is on the doorstep of their favourite pub is a good sort in the Diary's book.

That man was Richard Whiteley, a true Yorkshire character, who died at the weekend aged 61.

The star known to millions as host of Countdown bought a beautiful home in East Witton, near Leyburn, just so he could walk the 20 yards or so to the Blue Lion, an 18th century haunt called "the best little inn in the Dales".

Richard was almost as famous in these parts for his commitment to eat, drink and be merry as he was for overseeing Channel 4's numbers and letters quiz.

But he was quieter about his charitable commitments.

This part of his life led the Duchess of York to lead tributes to Richard.

He was, she said "an outstandingly kind man and a Yorkshireman through and through" who made "the most extraordinary effort" to champion the Duchess's Children In Crisis charity drugs educational programme in Leeds.

Author and former Evening Press journalist Robert Beaumont told the Diary how Richard had given his time to a cause run by his sister Rachel, the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, which helps people with depression.

Robert last saw Richard in March at a fundraising event. "After a gruelling ten hours of Countdown he staggered out and came round to Bonhams.

"He was absolutely charming to everybody," Robert recalled.

Richard was a particular hit with a pair of "scantily clad, blonde Leeds University students" in a restaurant later.

"When Richard walked in they thought this was the best thing that had ever happened to them."

And the TV host's verdict? "Richard loved it."

JOY Crawshaw, of Hempland Avenue, York, was invited to go on Calendar to talk to Richard about her book on spelling the easy way.

"A car picked me up at my school in Harrogate and whisked me off to Leeds. The driver was telling me how he always had to wait for Austin Mitchell who always late," said Joy.

"Indeed he rushed into the dressing room where I was being prepared to go on. On meeting Richard, who had been introduced to me earlier he suddenly, in front of the cameras, called me Jen, which made me giggle and relaxed. I reckon he did it deliberately for that effect.

"He was a nice man."

RICHARD'S sparring partner Carol Voderman was devastated by his loss. But did she have a premonition?

In an interview conducted by the Guardian before his death, but only published yesterday, she said she was dreading doing Countdown with guest presenters.

"It will be quite emotional. He's still very poorly.

"But the show will be a shrine to Richard and I'll make sure of it," she said.

Updated: 11:23 Tuesday, June 28, 2005