Anne Robinson has broken her silence on rumours of a rift with Rachel Riley as she announces she's quit Countdown.
The Crosby-born TV presenter has left the show after just one year. Robinson, 77, joined the Channel 4 programme last year, becoming its sixth presenter and the first woman to front the show.
Ms Robinson, who recorded 265 episodes of the much-loved game show, 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."
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She will appear in episodes until the summer with a new host to be announced in due course, Channel 4 said. A show spokesperson said: "Quick-witted Anne has been a brilliant host on this iconic show."
Amid the news, Anne has also addressed rumours of a vicious feud between herself and fellow presenter Rachel Riley. Reports suggested Anne, who suffers from tinnitus, found Miss Riley unacceptably loud and was irritated by her habit of chatting on her mobile phone, and by her time-keeping.
However Anne has now told the Daily Mail she thinks Rachel is "brilliant". She said: "I’m not saying I would go on holiday with Rachel Riley, but she is brilliant. Absolutely honestly, I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does, as is Susie Dent.
"She is noisy, yes she and Susie both are – they are a formidable pair those two. But there isn’t a question of my going because of a rift, that’s nonsense.’"
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