Entertainment
Alexander Armstrong reveals why he turned down Countdown job and stayed loyal to Pointless: ‘It was a really tough call’-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro
He will continue to host Pointless.
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Alexander Armstrong left Good Morning Britain hosts Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins stunned on Tuesday when he revealed that he rejected the chance to host Countdown.
The Pointless presenter, 52, has hosted the unconventional BBC quiz show ever since its debut in 2009, and was apparently offered the chance to move over to the Channel 4 anagram contest.
But, as he informed GMB today, he turned the offer down: ‘I did turn down Countdown. I took it very seriously – well it’s a job, I take everything seriously that I am offered.’
He continued: ‘I felt Countdown was a very revered format and I got the sense that there wasn’t going to be a lot of leeway to muck about with it and Pointless is all mucking about really.’
In the interview with GMB, Alexander mentioned that he briefly considered hosting both Countdown and Pointless but eventually decided against it.
‘I wouldn’t have been able to do both. Pointless was my little treat for saying no to Countdown, but it was a really tough call because they were such nice people and I love Countdown.’
Alexander and Richard hosted Pointless together for more than 1,300 episodes (Credits: David Hartley/REX/Shutterstock)
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‘But I wanted to do something that was a little bit more… basically I had kind of stopped doing comedy by then and I wanted something that would have a bit of comedy in it.’
Alexander also reflected upon the departure of Pointless co-host Richard Osman, who was the show’s font of knowledge for over 1,300 episodes. Osman announced his departure in April of this year – he will now ‘focus on writing’.
He said: ‘Richard has had to put more time into being a global, best-selling author. He’s still around, he does the Saturday shows – I still get to see my old friend’.
Alexander revealed the shocking news to GMB hosts Adil and Charlotte (Picture: GMB/ITV)
Richard, 51, was not initially supposed to be Alexander’s host on Pointless – he only stood in for a dress rehearsal.
Countdown was hosted by Richard Whiteley until his death in 2005, after which point Des Lynam hosted the show for two years before being replaced by Des O’Connor. Jeff Stelling, Anne Robinson, and Nick Hewer have hosted ever since.
Countdown airs weekdays at 2.15pm on Channel 4.
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