Nick Hewer congratulates Anne Robinson as he reveals when he’s leaving Countdown

Countdown’s Nick Hewer has welcomed his replacement Anne Robinson with open arms to the Channel 4 show while revealing when he’ll be stepping down.

Former Weakest Link presenter Anne has been named as the new host of the letters and numbers game following Nick’s decision to quit the programme after 10 years.

Sharing his delight over the latest Countdown addition, he enthused: ‘Back at Countdown til June retirement, with huge thanks to brilliant stand-in @colinmurray and great news that Anne Robinson will be taking the chair and back on tv.

‘It’s been too long!’ (sic)

Nick confirmed his departure from Countdown in December in a heartwarming statement shared on Twitter which revealed he would be retiring.

‘I’ve decided it’s a good time to step down at the end of my contract in the New Year,’ he penned.

‘As someone in his 77th year, who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution that is Countdown, I think it’s time to smell the flowers and get a dog.’

In January, Nick revealed that he had brought himself an adorable new puppy as his retirement gift to himself.

Steph McGovern confirmed Anne would be replacing Nick on Countdown on her Channel 4 chat show Packed Lunch.

Anne will join Rachel Riley and wordsmith Susie Dent as the programme’s sixth host and the first female to fill the hot seat.

Speaking to Steph about her new role, she enthused: ‘Thank you for keeping the secret. I am hopeless at keeping secrets.

‘I am very excited, I want to rename it to, Three Clever Girls do Countdown.’

Countdown airs weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.