Anne Robinson announced as new Countdown host

She will be the first female host of the show

Anne Robinson has been announced as the new host of Channel 4's long-running quiz show Countdown. The reveal was teased on Steph's Packed Lunch, with an extra-long Countdown Conundrum turning her name into an anagram.

The #countdown conundrum has been set so now it’s over to you - who do you think is the show’s new host? We’ll reveal the answer on #PackedLunchC4. Tune in now @Channel4! pic.twitter.com/E011yTLqos

— Steph's Packed Lunch (@PackedLunchC4) February 15, 2021

Anne Robinson will be taking over from Nick Hewer, who earlier this year announced he would be leaving after nearly a decade on the show. She will Countdown's sixth permanent host, and the first female one. "I am beyond thrilled to be joining Countdown," said Robinson on her appointment. "The show is almost as old as I am and just as historic. I am particularly excited to be working alongside the show’s two other formidable women.  Worryingly, Susie [Dent] and Rachel [Riley] are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me. Sadly, there’s no time for another face lift so I'll have make do with this old one." "Three Clever Girls Do Countdown! Don’t you love the sound of that?" "I am a crossword nut so the Countdown’s conundrums I can make sense of. But the adding up and taking away  - I can't go much further than working out the fee once my agent takes his cut." Channel 4 Head of Daytime, Jo Street, added: "I am a huge fan of Anne and her quick wit. I am immensely proud that this ferociously smart woman will be joining the show as host alongside the brilliant Rachel Riley and Susie Dent."