THE race is on to replace one of Yorkshire's favourite sons as the presenter of Countdown.

Speculation is rife over who will replace Richard Whiteley on the hit Channel 4 show after maths whiz Carol Vorderman revealed they would be looking for someone to fill his shoes after the summer.

Countdown's army of fans and residents in the East Yorkshire village of Wetwang - where Mr Whiteley was honorary mayor - were left devastated following his recent death

The 61-year-old presenter was taken to hospital with pneumonia in May. He died after undergoing major heart surgery in Leeds General Infirmary.

Names being mooted as his possible replacement, include guests from Countdown's "dictionary corner".

Gyles Brandreth is viewed by many as his natural successor because of his quick wit and love of outrageous pullovers.

Richard Stilgoe and Barry Cryer could also be in the running.

Phil Campbell-Mapplebeck, 34, from Nether Poppleton, a history teacher at Lowfields School, appeared on Countdown in 1997.

"Richard Whiteley was one of the great presenters," he said. "He is a legend and was a really friendly host - particularly towards the ladies!

"I think Gyles Brandreth should take over. Whiteley had the jackets and ties, but Brandreth has the jumpers."

Ian Ringham, landlord of The Black Swan pub, in Wetwang, said: "Richard used to pop in here occasionally for a drink.

"I think he is irreplaceable as the presenter of Countdown - we really miss him."

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We always said we'd like to continue with the show. We will be looking to pick a new presenter after the summer."

Meanwhile, ARTTS Skillcentre, in Bubwith, near Selby, a leading training centre for the entertainment industry, has launched a search for a candidate for The Richard Whiteley Scholarship, set up by Channel 4 in memory of the Countdown host.

The award will be made annually to an individual living in Yorkshire, who has the talent and ability to make a career in television.

Mr Whiteley hosted Countdown for 23 years and his on screen partnership with Carol Vorderman won the show a cult following. Before he fronted the Channel 4 programme, he worked as a journalist for Yorkshire Television from the late 1960s. Last year, Mr Whiteley received an OBE from the Queen, who, along with the late Queen Mother, was said to be a Countdown fan.

:: Luke Beddows asked shoppers in York who they thought should replace Richard Whiteley as host of Countdown?

Retired Mary Robinson, 65, of Acomb, said: "Richard Whiteley is irreplaceable. He was so good with the whole programme."

Plasterer Arthur Whitaker, 60, said: "He did it for so long and for so many years it's hard to think of a replacement."

Katie Hillaby, 80, retired, of St George's Place, off Tadcaster Road, York, said: "The man is irreplaceable. If they were to change anything they should alter the programme and change it so it is not the same as when Richard presented it."

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, July 26, 2005