Countdown (game show) television continuously since 1965. "Countdown" was initially recorded at The Leeds Studios for 27 years, before moving to Manchester-based Granada Studios in 2009. Following the development of MediaCityUK, Countdown moved again in 2013 to the new purpose build studios at Dock10, Greater Manchester. The programme was presented by Richard Whiteley for over 20 years, until his sudden death in June 2005. It was then presented by Des Lynam until the end of 2006, Des O'Connor until the end of 2008, and Jeff Stelling until the end of 2011; Nick Hewer has presented the show since 2012. Carol Vorderman, the show's
Countdown (game show) show and believed it could be popular overseas. Yorkshire Television purchased the format and commissioned a series of eight shows under the title "Calendar Countdown", which was to be a spin-off of their regional news programme "Calendar". As the presenter of "Calendar", Richard Whiteley was the natural choice to present "Calendar Countdown" with his daily appearances on both shows earning him the nickname "Twice Nightly". These shows were only broadcast in the Yorkshire area. An additional pilot episode was made, with a refined format, although it was never broadcast. A new British television channel, Channel 4, was due to launch