'Countdown's Carol Vorderman responds to Anne Robinson rumours

Virgin Radio

6 May 2022, 15:12

Want Carol Vorderman to return to 'Countdown'?

The brainiac appeared on the lunchtime quiz for 26 years from 1982 until 2008, when she was replaced by Rachel Riley. Her co-hosts were Des Lynam and the late Des O'Connor and Richard Whiteley.

Now ex-The Weakest Link host Anne Robinson has announced that she is leaving the show after 265 episodes, fans have said it's the perfect time for Carol to make her return.

"Thank you to all of you saying such lovely things about a possibility of me returning to Countdown," she tweeted, using not only her massive brain, but her fingers and phone too.

"You're very kind & it would be an honour," she added, "but I want to wish whoever is the lucky human to be the new host all the love and 9 letter words in the world #CountWell #HappyDays."

Which isn't a no, right? And yet Taskmaster star Richard Osman, who recently quit Pointless, has been widely named as a favourite for the gig.

However, he ruled himself out of presenting duties, saying on Twitter: "I keep reading I'm the favourite to be the new Countdown host. But there are 3 problems. 1. I just gave up a show I love because I have no time. 2. @susiedent and I are mortal enemies. 3. They should give the job to @ColinMurray."

Speaking of her decision to leave the programme, Robinson said she'd had a "wonderful time" but was too busy to continue. 

"I hope too I've encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their 70s are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks," she said.

"In fact, the genius of Countdown is that it's a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5km most days of the week. And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.

"But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention."

'Countdown' airs weekday afternoons on Channel 4.