Anne Robinson was named the new host of the Channel 4 Countdown quiz in February 2021, but a year later she decided to give way to someone else.
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Countdown: Looks awkward between Rachel and Anne
Anne Robinson is stepping down as host of Countdown after spending just one year “in the hot seat”.
The 77-year-old former star of the weakest link, Robinson, joined Channel 4’s quiz last year, becoming the sixth host and the first woman to take on the role.
There have been several reports of Robinson clashing with his colleague Rachel Riley in the past 12 months, but this has been widely denied.
Robinson, who recorded 265 episodes of the show, said of her decision to give up: “I was the host of this wonderful show. And I stayed longer than I registered. Now is the time for an older woman to take the reins.
“I also hope that I have encouraged TV bosses to realize that not all women in their late seventies are in nursing homes, playing bingo and watching tricks,” she said.
Anne Robinson retires as host of Countdown after a year “in the hot seat” (
Image:
Channel 4)
“In fact, Countdown’s genius is that it’s a brilliant way to keep your brain trained. I run 5k most days of the week.
“Now I can make an anagram at twice the speed of this time last year.
“But I have grandchildren, a big garden and a home in New York, they all deserve more attention,” Robinson added.
She will appear in shows until the summer with a new host, announced in time, confirmed Channel 4.
Countdown host Anne with co-stars Rachel Riley and Susie Dent (
Image:
Channel 4)
A spokesman for the show said: “Fast-paced Ann was a brilliant host of this iconic show.”
Robinson followed in the footsteps of Richard Whiteley, Des Linam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Huer as host of Countdown, which began in 1982.
She joined the day show last year with math Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent, with the first part airing on June 28.
In November 2021, Riley dismissed reports of “enmity” between her and her colleague Robinson, telling Lorraine of ITV: “You know you don’t trust the tabloids. I think you just have women there now, so they want to come up with something.
Anne said her grandchildren “deserve” more attention than she does (
Image:
Images of the press association)
“I have seen all the headlines of enmity escalate. I’ve been on maternity leave for about six to eight weeks or so.
Speaking about Robinson’s famous public figure, Riley told Lorraine Kelly: “She is not the most cuddly person in the world. Now it’s just a different show. She makes it her own.
“She gets things out of the contestants. Sometimes she’s prickly, sometimes she’s funny. She tastes different.”
Robinson became known for making harsh remarks to contestants when he introduced The Weakest Link, which first aired in 2000, before ending 12 years later.
He returned for a special program for children in need in 2017.
It re-aired in December 2021, with Romesh Ranganathan hosting a celebrity version of the BBC One quiz.
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