According to today’s Sunday Times, Mr Lynam has been selected as the new presenter of Countdown. I think he’s a pretty good choice – someone who will still be popular with the target audience, whilst being different enough in style to avoid the appearance of copying Mr Whiteley. I can really see him making the show his own, as Richard did.

Carol will, of course, be continuing. And the article says she’s very enthusiastic about Des as a replacement, though I think this possibly says more about the main competitor – Paul Merton – than it does about Des. Merton just would not have suited the show at all, as far as I can see.

So, all-in-all, this seems a good thing. Although, of course, no-one can ever truly replace Richard Whiteley.