The ‘longest-running host’ on a British TV show isn’t who you’d expect-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Susie Dent has been labelled the longest-running host on a British TV show, based on the jaw-dropping number of episodes she’s appeared in (Picture: Rachel Joseph/ Channel 4)

Susie Dent, according to Richard Osman, is the longest-running host on a British TV show, based on the number of episodes recorded – and it’s seriously impressive.

The Countdown star has been a fixture on the Channel 4 programme, which is one of the longest-running British gameshows, since 1992.

And in those three decades, she’s recorded over 2000 episodes, House of Games star Richard has claimed.

Speaking on his The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with Marina Hyde, the Thursday Murder Club author explained: ‘I recently made the argument, which I stick by, that Susie Dent is the longest-running host in British television history.

‘People often say it’s Magnus Magnusson or Sue Barker, but it’s Susie Dent in terms of the amount of shows she’s done.’

The Pointless star, who also often appears on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, went on: ‘And with Pointless, they always said I did 2000 episodes, and I say, well if I’m a co-host on that, Susie does the same job, so she’s the longest-running host on British television.’

Countdown, which first began in 1982, boasts more than 8,000 episodes, and was originally presented by Richard Whiteley, and also saw Lord Alan Sugar’s former right-hand man Nick Hewer take on the role between 2012 to 2021, with Colin Murray now fronting the show after taking over from Anne Robinson.

Carol Vorderman stood in the co-presenter role for 26 years between 1982 and 2008, with Rachel Riley joining in 2009.

Susie joined Countdown in 1992 (Picture: Getty)

She stars alongside Rachel Riley and Colin Murray (Picture: Channel 4/PA)

Over the 32 years in her role, Susie has overtaken Magnus, who was the presenter of Mastermind for 25 years, while tennis legend Sue fronted A Question of Sport for 23 years.

Sir Patrick Moore meanwhile holds the title of the longest-running host in terms of years, having presented The Sky At Night from 1957 until his death in 2013.

Lexicographer Susie celebrated 30 years of her role in 2022, and told Metro.co.uk last year that there was only one thing that would make her consider quitting.

‘Not in a million years would I have imagined I would still be there,’ she began. ‘During the first 10 years, I was one of many and still working in my publishing job on dictionaries and there were lots of us who rotated in the corner.

Richard Osman has given Susie the title (Picture: BBC/Remarkable Television, an En)

Susie has appeared on Countdown for three decades (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘What has kept me there are two things. One is, without sounding too cheesy, it is genuinely like a family. It’s very unusual in TV shows and there’s no quick turnover of staff. A lot of the camera crew have been there almost as long as I have, our producer Damien is a former contestant. It’s really tight-knit.

‘The other thing is the format, because no matter who is working on the show, it’s all about the pull of the numbers and the letters, you can’t help playing along.’

She added with a smile: ‘It’s very simple, you win a teapot, you don’t win big money! The contestants are there because they genuinely love the show, not because they give good answers on telly or they’re funny… I think that’s quite beautiful.’

On what would make her reconsider her Countdown future, she said: ‘I genuinely can’t imagine what it would be. People sometimes ask if I get bored because it seems like a very repetitive thing that I’m doing, but it’s honestly not. It’s a new challenge every time.

Susie starred alongside the likes of Carol Vorderman and Desmond Lynam (Picture: Channel 4)

The Channel 4 staple has also seen Nick Hewer as lead presenter (Picture: Channel 4/Alan Strutt)

‘I have the best seat in the house with a guest next to me, as soon as the clock starts ticking, I feel the adrenaline.

‘I would say boredom but I don’t think that’s gonna happen! I just feel very lucky.’

‘Long may it continue and I’ll be there as long as they want me and the viewers want me,’ Susie added.

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.

Entertainment – MetroRead More