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If that’s the case, then now that Richard Whiteley (the Dad) has sadly died, it’s time for Carol Vorderman (the mum) to start bringing strange men home to take his place. But who?

Betfair has opened a market where you can bet on the new presenter of Countdown. The market will be settled based on the next episode of Countdown to be broadcast that features a new presenter, whether by one-off appearance or on a permanent basis. And all bets will be void if no new episodes are broadcast before January 1st.

Bearing that in mind, here’s the hecklerspray and Betfair.com rundown on some of our favourite possible future Countdown presenters, along with their odds…

Gyles Brandreth – One school of Whiteley replacement suggests that the person who takes Richard’s place should share as many qualities with him as possible. Brandreth and Whiteley are both inoffensive and slightly foolish, and this is why Gyles Brandreth is current favourite to take the Countdown mantle. Current odds – 38/13

Carol Vorderman – Here’s a turn-up: just trailing Brandreth in the odds is Carol Vorderman, Whiteley’s old Countdown partner. But can she take the place of old Richard? It’d make sense – Channel Four would have one less wage to pay – but we get the sense that Vorderman would go power-crazy if she went it alone, screaming drunken abuse at contestants for not being good at sums while sitting on a giant ruby-encrusted throne at the top of a volcano. Current odds – 25/8

Derek Laud – That’s right: Derek from Big Brother. He’s doing surprisingly well in the odds, so he can’t really be discounted. He’s also mentioned that he has his post-BB sights aimed higher than a place in Parliament, and – after all – what’s bigger than a weekday teatime word quiz for pensioners? Nothing, that’s what. However, Derek’s Big Brother quizzes were a hotchpotch of huge lies. And does the nation really want that on Countdown? Current odds – 9/2

Philip Franks – If Richard and Carol were your surrogate parents, then that would make the guest in Dictionary Corner like your annoying uncle that keeps coming round your house to talk endless unfunny crap at you. And there was never a Dictionary Corner guest more crap uncle-y than Philip Franks. However, he’s kissed Catherine Zeta Jones. On the mouth. Loads. Frankly, he can do whatever he likes. Current odds – 25/4

Stephen Fry – For years Steven Fry had coasted along being professionally clever, safe in the knowledge that he was cleverer, funnier and more successful than his old comedy partner Hugh Laurie. But that’s all changed now that Laurie has become the darling of American television with his new drama series House. Steven Fry needs to claw back his old popularity, and maybe he’d be able to do it by presenting a cosy daily word quiz full of adverts for walk-in baths. Current odds – 20/1

Bruce Forsyth – We’d love to see this: Richard Whiteley’s place being taken by the king of razzle-dazzle. Forsyth is a game show pro from the old school. He’d liven things up with his tap dancing and his rapping and his casual self-deprecating one liners. He’d make Carol dress in gold sequined miniskirts, and there’d be a new round where contestants have to work out anagrams while trying to make a pottery jug. It’ll never happen, of course. But we can dream. Current odds – 25/1

These possible presenters are only a taster – the full list runs to 27 replacements including Bob Holness, Alan Coren, Michael Portillo, Joe Brand and – possibly because it’s the only TV show he isn’t on – Jimmy Carr. Head over to the UK special bets section of Betfair.com right away to see the full list and to pop down a crafty bet. It’s what Richard Whiteley would have wanted*.

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*Probably not what Richard Whiteley would have wanted.

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[story by Stuart Heritage]