TV Countdown star Richard Whiteley has been inundated with get well messages after being rushed into intensive care suffering from pneumonia.

The 61-year-old presenter, who lives at Burley Woodhead, was yesterday said to be in a stable condition at the Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Mr Whiteley was admitted last Friday after being taken ill at his home, and a spokeswoman for Yorkshire Television has confirmed that the star is suffering from pneumonia.

She said: "We can confirm that Richard is in hospital suffering from pneumonia and he remains in a stable condition. All his many friends, fans and colleagues wish him a speedy recovery."

Among those sending get well wishes is Mr Whiteley's Countdown co-star, Carol Vorderman, who has told him she misses his bad jokes.

Ms Vorderman said: "All of us in Richard's Countdown family want him to get better as quickly as he can.

"He's our boss and the one who holds everything together and makes us laugh. We all want him back in his chair telling bad jokes as soon as he's able to."

Ms Vorderman said she had been in touch with Mr Whiteley's long-term partner, Kathryn Apanowicz, who had expressed her thanks to everyone for their kindness.

Mr Whiteley has been presenting Countdown since 1982, when it gained the distinction of being the first show to be broadcast on Channel 4. The show was originally planned to run for five weeks but it became hugely popular, gaining cult status and millions of viewers.

In November last year Mr Whiteley received an OBE from the Queen, who is said to be a big fan of the show.

Although filming of Countdown has been cancelled the present show is pre-recorded and will continue until July.

Last year Mr Whiteley stepped in at the last minute to open a prestige British Society of Painters art exhibition in Ilkley and in 2003 officially opened the Gazette's own refurbished office.