The Final Countdown

Richard Whiteley
was once twice-nightly
but now no more
will he be seen
on the TV screen
for pensioners to adore

His tales sometimes bore us
but close your thesaurus
and dictionary today
for the first man on Four
death has called at his door
and taken his breath away

What now for Carol and Ms Dent?
Will they cope without the genial gent?
Is this it? Is Countdown done?
If that's the case then I don't mind admitting
that it seems right, and only fitting
to mark the end with a cheesy pun