Ricky Tomlinson claims late Countdown star Richard Whiteley was an undercover MI5 agent
RICKY TOMLINSON has startingly claimed Richard Whiteley was a member of the intelligence services.
Ricky Tomlinson opens up about his political past
The Royle Family favourite made the shock remarks at the opening of a Chester pub, where in which he helped organise the first national building workers' strike.
The 77-year-old former plasterer was jailed back in 1973 alongside his "Shrewsbury Two" partner Des Warren on being found guilty of conspiracy to intimidate.
Ricky believes his conviction may have something to do with an ITV documentary - presented by Countdown presenter Richard and former politician Woodrow Wyatt - which aired on the same day the jury retired to deliver its verdict.
Speaking to The Chester Chronicle, the actor commented: "I’ve got documents at home, which are printed confidential, strictly confidential, not to be seen, but it involves the likes of Ted Heath, Woodrow Wyatt."
Ricky Tomlinson has claimed Richard Whiteley was an undercover spy
Ricky Tomlinson made the shock comments at a pub opening this week
Richard Whiteley fronted Countdown for more than 20 years
Richard Whiteley from Countdown was a member of the intelligence services!
Ricky continued: "And we’ve just discovered that they made a film which went out on television the night the jury were out considering the verdict called Red Under the Bed and it was so anti-trade union that two of the jury changed their mind and brought a majority verdict in of 10-2 guilty."
The former Brookside regular claims the film was "designed, written, made and paid for by the security services".
Ricky then went on: "Woodrow Wyatt was a member of the security services and unbelievably so was Richard Whiteley who hosted the show. Richard Whiteley from Countdown was a member of the intelligence services."
Ricky Tomlinson was jailed back in the 1970s
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Woodrow Wyatt passed away in 1997
Richard died in 2005 aged 61. He first joined ITN as a trainee on leaving Cambridge University before moving to Yorkshire Television.
He fronted the daytime, Channel 4 quiz for more than 20 years before Des Lynam took over following his death.
Meanwhile, Woodrow Wyatt passed away in 1997 after being first elected to Parliament in 1945.