After a year of hosting Channel 4's daytime quiz show Countdown, Anne Robinson has announced she is leaving her role. The TV personality, who has now presented 265 episodes, revealed the news this week and her final appearance on the Channel 4 show will air this summer.
The 77-year-old made history in June 2021 when she joined the longest-running quiz show as the sixth host and the first female to take on the role in the programme's 40-year history. It saw the show's first all-female line up as Anne joined alongside 'Dictionary Corner' wordsmith Susie Dent and numbers whizz Rachel Riley.
A spokesperson for Countdown said: "Quick-witted Anne has been a brilliant host on this iconic show". Countdown first launched in 1982 and Anne followed in the footsteps of previous hosts Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O'Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Hewer. But it has not yet been revealed who will be the next in the hot seat.
Anne's co-host Susie tweeted her best wishes, posting: "Some Countdown news. Wishing Anne all the very best in her new adventures with her grandchildren and beyond". But what was the reason behind Anne's departure from the show? Here are all the details:
Why is Anne Robinson leaving Countdown?
Anne has revealed that she is stepping down from the long-running show to spend more time with her grandchildren and also spoke of how she had "a large garden and a home in New York" all of which are needing more of her attention. Anne, who previously hosted the BBC game show The Weakest Link on BBC, added that she'd had a "blast" working on the programme but that it was time "for an older woman to take the reins".
In a statement released by Channel 4, the 77-year-old presenter said she had already hosted the game show for longer than she had intended. Anne also disclosed the benefits of being in the hot seat, saying it was a "brilliant way to keep the brain exercised".
“I've had a blast hosting this wonderful show," she explained: "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 70s 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 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."
Last year, reports of a feud between Anne and her Countdown co-stars surfaced but were quickly dismissed by mathematician and presenter Rachel when she appeared on ITV's Lorraine. The 35-year-old said at the time: “You know not to believe tabloids. I think it is just you have got some women there now so they want to make something up. I have seen all the headlines of the feuds escalating. I have been on maternity leave for about six to eight weeks or something.”
“She is not the cuddliest person in the world," Rachel admitted. "It is just a different show now. She is making it her own. She is getting stuff out of the contestants. Sometimes it is barbed, sometimes it is funny. She has got a different flavour.”
It had not yet been confirmed who will be replacing Anne when she officially leaves this summer but Channel 4 has said that "a new host will be announced in due course".
Countdown continues weekdays on Channel 4 from 2.10pm.
