Much-loved comedian and television presenter Paul O'Grady is among the leading favourites to replace Anne Robinson as Countdown host.
The 66-year-old from Birkenhead is reportedly being linked to the role on the ever popular Channel 4 numbers and letters game show. BirminghamLive says he is one of the favourites to take over alongside veteran presenter and journalist Sir Trevor McDonald.
It was confirmed yesterday the 77-year-old presenter from Crosby would be leaving the job she's had for just over a year. Anne said in a statement she was leaving to focus on things outside of TV including her family.
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However, rumours have surfaced that all was not well on the Channel 4 show's set with a rift forming between Anne and co-host Rachel Riley over the latter being "unacceptably loud", having a habit of chatting on the phone and having poor time-keeping. But addressing these rumours, Anne told the Daily Mail Rachel is "brilliant" and she admires her, although she said she would not necessarily go on holiday with her.
Speaking about stepping down, Anne 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. I hope too I’ve encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.
“In fact the genius of Countdown is that it’s a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week. And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year. But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention.”
Anne replaced Nick Hewer as host last year and has recorded 265 episodes during that time. Before her and Hewer, the show, which was the first show to be broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982, has been hosted by Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling.
Paul achieved fame during the 1990s with his Lily Savage drag queen act which had already taken the gay scene in London by storm during the previous decade. Since the turn of the millennium, Paul has moved away from his Savage persona and gone on to star in and present a number of shows.
These include the sitcom Eyes Down before hosting his own early evening chat show on ITV before defecting to Channel 4. He was also selected to present the revamped comeback of Blind Date, formerly hosted by Liverpool's Cilla Black, and also has his own show on BBC Radio 2 - Paul O'Grady on the Wireless - which is broadcast on Sundays between 5pm and 7pm.
