When households across the country think of fan favourite television host Alexander Armstrong - they instantly think of competition show Pointless.
It would simply seem impossible to imagine the 52-year-old presenter hosting any other show.
Shockingly, Alexander was close to doing just that by nearly accepting the job of hosting Channel 4’s Countdown.
However, the decision ultimately came down to a snub with bosses at the BBC for almost accepting the role.
This came at a time when the comedian had just stepped into the glitzy world of fame with his Beeb sketch show Armstrong and Miller.
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Way back in 2008, when former corporation chief Jay Hunt found out that Alexander was close to jumping ship - he claimed she forced him to turn it down.
“She hit the roof when she heard that it was in the offing. You have to be very careful about those sorts of things. You think you’re a free agent but you’re not," he revealed.
“I knew she was somebody who held power over a lot of key decisions on things I held dear and that if I did it, it would really p*** her off. The ball was in my court, but I could sense that it mightn’t be the best idea in the world.”
At the time, the TV store made the tough decision to reluctantly withdraw from the presenting role at Countdown - and it eventually went to Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling.
Father-of-three Alexander added: “It had appealed to me because I didn’t have any other work lined up.
“And, at that point in my life, it was a footballer’s salary – well, almost. A second division footballer. I was in my 30s and started thinking we could move out of London and settle down.”
In 2017, Alexander candidly revealed that he had turned down the role and discussed the difficulties of "hierarchy".
He told The Mirror: "I’d turned down Countdown before Pointless because it’s such an institution and I wouldn’t have been able to change it.
"There is also a sense of hierarchy, when you come from sketch comedy in a lofty crevice of prime time scheduling with all the lights shining on you, to the dull, dark studio of mid afternoon."
"But it was a truly original idea," he added.
He wasn't the only familiar face to turn down a role on the competition show as his Pointless co-host was also guilty of giving the show a miss.
According to a top TV executive, Alexander's Pointless co-host Richard Osman turned down a hosting gig with the Channel 4 show YEARS ago.
Following Richard's announcement earlier this year that he would be leaving BBC's Pointless, he has sparked rumours that he would be moving onto another show.
He broke silence on the news he was leading the betting alongside Carol Vorderman and Romesh Rangathan.
Richard wrote: "I keep reading I'm the favourite to be the new Countdown host.
"But there are 3 problems. 1. I just gave up a show I love because I have no time. 2. @susiedent and I are mortal enemies. 3. They should give the job to @ColinMurray."
