Anne Robinson: Countdown presenter quits, her full statement, what’s Rachel Riley said - who will replace her?

The new game show presenter is best known for fronting Match Of The Day 2
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Anne Robinson announced she is stepping down as the host of Countdown after spending just one year "in the hot seat".

The former Weakest Link star joined the Channel 4 quiz show last year after taking over from The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer, who presented the show for 10 years.

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Anne Robinson became the programme’s sixth presenter and first woman to take the role.

A spokesperson from Channel 4 said she “has been a brilliant host on this iconic show”.

On Thursday 14 July Anne’s replacement was announced as TV presenter Colin Murray.

The news came following several reports over the past year of a feud between herself and her co-star Rachel Riley which has been largely denied.

What has Anne Robinson said?

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Anne revealed she “stayed longer than I signed up for,” after recording 265 episodes of the show.

She will appear in shows until the summer with a new host announced in due course, Channel 4 confirmed.

In a statement she said: "I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful show. And I stayed longer than I signed up for.

“Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.”

She added: "I hope too I’ve encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.

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"In fact the genius of Countdown is that it’s a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week.

"And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.”

Speaking about her decision to quit the programme, she said she has “grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention.”

Addressing the speculation over a reported feud with her co-star, Anne said: “I’m not saying I would go on holiday with Rachel Riley, but she is brilliant.

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“Absolutely honestly, I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does, as is [co-star] Susie Dent.”

She told the Daily Mail: “Look, Rachel has just come back from having a baby and she is standing throughout and faultless, whereas I get to sit down.

“She is noisy, yes she and Susie both are – they are a formidable pair those two.

“But there isn’t a question of my going because of a rift, that’s nonsense.”

What has Rachel Riley said?

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In November 2021 Riley dismissed reports of a "feud" between her and co-star Robinson, telling ITV’s Lorraine: "You know not to believe tabloids. I think it is just you have got some women there now so they want to make something up.

"I have seen all the headlines of the feuds escalating. I have been on maternity leave for about six to eight weeks or something."

Speaking about Robinson’s famous icy public personality, Riley told Lorraine Kelly: "She is not the cuddliest person in the world. It is just a different show now. She is making it her own.

"She is getting stuff out of the contestants. Sometimes it is barbed, sometimes it is funny.

“She has got a different flavour."

Who is replacing Anne Robinson on Countdown?

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TV presenter Colin Murray will take over from Anne. He is best known for fronting Match Of The Day 2.

Colin is no stranger to the show after having already had a stint on Countdown earlier this year after Anne quit the game show.

At the time he acted as her ‘stand in’.

Now he’s back, with Rachel announcing the news on Twitter, alongside a behind-the-scenes snap of herself, Colin and Susie Dent.

She said: “Today this lovely bloke @ColinMurray takes over hosting @C4Countdown.

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“He loves the show, the game, the contestants and the team and we all love him.”

When Colin temporarily took over in May, he addressed it on Twitter, writing: “I’m like the assistant manager, given the job until end of season.

“Earn respect of dressing room (@susie_dent @RachelRileyRR), get some points on the board, try to win a trophy! 75 games to get it right!”

How long has Anne Robinson been on Countdown?

She joined the daytime show last year alongside mathematician Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent.

Her first feature on the show was on 28 June.

Robinson followed in the footsteps of Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Hewer as the presenter of Countdown, which launched in 1982.

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