Colin Murray will host Countdown for the rest of the year, but word is he is only a temporary replacement for Anne Robinson.
The 43-year-old TV and radio presenter began filming episodes of the Channel 4 quiz yesterday.
He guest presented 33 episodes in 2021 when then-host Nick Hewer was shielding amid the pandemic.
But when Hewer left, his job went to Anne Robinson, who quit suddenly last week after just a year.
This time around, the Mirror understands Colin will stay in the hosting chair until the autumn. With no permanent host signed up, if things go well, he could have a chance of staying longer as co-host with mathematician Rachel Riley.
A Channel 4 source said: “Colin has agreed to be a stand-in host for us, which is brilliant news.
“He knows the team and gets on really well with Rachel, they are good friends off screen.
"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.”
Anne was the sixth host, following Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Hewer.
She insisted the decision to quit was not caused by a rift between herself and co-hosts Rachel Riley and lexicographer, Susie Dent.
In a statement, Anne, 77, said: “I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful show.
"And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.”
