MI5? Richard couldn’t even do the conundrum
Whiteley’s missus rubbishes Ricky Tomlinson’s claim he was a spy
RICHARD Whiteley’s partner has branded a claim that the late Countdown host was an MI5 spy “ridiculous”.
Kathryn Apanowicz said actor Ricky Tomlinson, who made the accusation, should have a “long, hard look at himself ”.
Reeling off shortcomings that made Whiteley unsuitable for a role in the intelligence services, radio presenter Kathryn said: “He was the most indiscreet person I knew, he could not keep a secret for toffee.
“Number one, he had an asthma inhaler, so running around and escaping from whoever was chasing after him, he wouldn’t be able to do that.
“He couldn’t work technology. He couldn’t do maths and he used to struggle with the conundrum.”
Royle Family star Tomlinson claimed Whiteley helped orchestrate a plot to have him and a group of striking builders, known as the Shrewsbury 24, jailed in the 70s.
Kathryn said her family had been in “hysterics” at the idea of his alleged double life. But former Countdown star Carol Vorderman remembered Whiteley as a “mystery” man, adding: “I would be fascinated to see Ricky’s evidence.”
Eileen Turnbull, a researcher for the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign, said: “We have found no evidence to support the view that Richard Whiteley was in any way connected to the security services.”
Whiteley died in 2005, aged 61, after undergoing heart surgery.