Entertainment
Countdown’s Anne Robinson ‘replaced temporarily by Colin Murray’ after swift exitStella Akinwumi
Colin Murray is reportedly filling Anne’s shoes after quitting the programme (Picture: PA/ Channel 4)
TV presenter Colin Murray is reportedly replacing Anne Robinson on Countdown until bosses find a permanent host.
Last week, the former Weakest Link host confirmed her exit from the Channel 4 game show after recording 265 episodes, admitting she’d stayed ‘longer than I signed up for.’
Colin, 45 – who is best known for fronting Match Of The Day 2 – started filming on Sunday and according to reports, he will remain a ‘stand-in’ until the autumn.
‘He knows the team and gets on really well with Rachel [Riley] they are good friends off screen,’ a source told the publication.
‘No one knows what is going to happen beyond the autumn in terms of hosting, but if Colin does want the job, he is in the right place to show why he should get it,’ the insider added to The Mirror.
Following the news of her exit, it wasn’t long before fans speculated over Anne’s potential replacement, with names such as Richard Osman and Colin at the top of the bookies’ odds.
Anne (middle) confirmed her exit from the show last week (Picture: Channel )
But devoted viewers have called for former numbers and letters whizz Carol Vorderman to return to where she made her name, this time as the main host.
The 61-year-old presenter quickly responded to the idea herself, telling fans it would be ‘an honour’ to return to the beloved show.
She wrote on social media: ‘Thank you to all of you saying such lovely things about the possibility of me returning to Countdown. You’re very kind & it would be an honour.’
But Carol poured cold water over a possible comeback after offering up her well wishes to Anne’s replacement.
Fans were hoping for Carol Vorderman to return to the game show (Picture: Channel 4)
She tweeted: ‘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 [sic].’
During her time on the series, rumours have been rife of a rift between Anne and co-star Rachel, however, Anne branded the claims as ‘nonsense’ and had nothing but kind words for her ‘brilliant’ co-star.
More: Channel 4
I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does, as is [co-star] Susie Dent.’
‘Look, Rachel has just come back from having a baby and she is standing throughout and faultless, whereas I get to sit down,’ she added to the Daily Mail.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Collin Murray and Channel 4 for comment.
Countdown airs weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.
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