Countdown and out

Or

Eight letters, DECEASED

(More credit to Craig)

Or

Ferret Man Dies

(Self memorialized)

Richard Whiteley, the host of one of the U.K.'s best game shows, has died following heart surgery at the age of 61. Whiteley was the U.K.’s version of Pat Sajak, a host of a simple word game who was extremely popular with very old people for more than 20 years. Countdown’s fan’s included the Queen and George Clooney and a man who had one of the show’s signature songs played during his cremation. Whiteley was also the local news anchor in Yorkshire for more than 20 years, known for collection of more than 500 jackets and nearly 200 garish ties, constant puns and the blooper seen worldwide of him being bitten on camera by a ferret. His was the first face seen on Britain’s Channel 4, and his was reportedly the most seen face in British television history.

(Borrowed liberally and without permission from game show aficionado Mike)