'Richard Whiteley was a spy': Royle Family star claims late Countdown presenter worked as an undercover agent for MI5 <br />Actor, 77, claims Richard Whiteley was an undercover agent for secret services <br />The former plasterer was convicted in 1973 of arranging first builders' strike <br />He claims documentary which 'swayed' jury and was presented by Whiteley was funded by MI5 <br />He made the claims as he opened a relaunched Wetherspoons pub in Chester <br /> <br /> <br />Royle Family actor Ricky Tomlinson claims Richard Whiteley was a spy. <br />The 77-year-old actor believes the late Countdown presenter - who fronted the show for more than 20 years - was an undercover agent for MI5. <br />Mr Tomlinson, who appeared alongside Caroline Aherne in the sitcom, made the startling claim in an interview as he opened a relaunched Wetherspoons pub in Chester. <br /> <br /> <br />Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4270718/Ricky-Tomlinson-claims-Richard-Whiteley-spy.html#ixzz4a6UUAoSY <br />Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on FacebookyMail on Facebook
