ANNE ROBINSON ANNOUNCED AS NEW HOST OF COUNTDOWN

The Weakest Link presenter will replace Nick Hewer, who announced his departure last year.

Anne will be the show’s sixth host, and the first female to fill the hotseat on the long-running programme. Anne takes over from Nick Hewer who earlier this year announced he would be stepping down after nearly ten years on the show.

Anne joins numbers whizz Rachel Riley and wordsmith Susie Dent on the show which is filmed in Salford. Anne makes her on-screen debut this summer.

Anne Robinson says “I am beyond thrilled to be joining Countdown. The show is almost as old as I am and just as historic. I am particularly excited to be working alongside the Show’s two other formidable women. Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me. Sadly, there’s no time for another face lift so I'll have make do with this old one.

“Three Clever Girls Do Countdown! Don’t you love the sound of that?

“I am a crossword nut so the Countdown’s conundrums I can make sense of. But the adding up and taking away - I can't go much further than working out the fee once my agent takes his cut.”

Channel 4 Head of Daytime, Jo Street, said: "I am a huge fan of Anne and her quick wit. I am immensely proud that this ferociously smart woman will be joining the show as host alongside the brilliant Rachel Riley and Susie Dent."