Pointless star ‘set to replace Anne Robinson on Countdown’ – as she quits after a year
ANNE Robinson has only just quit as the host of Countdown, but already a Pointless star is being touted to "replace her".
The former Weakest Link star, 77, became the first female to take on the role when she stepped into Nick Hewer’s shoes in June last year.
But she will leave after just a year in the Countdown hot seat - months after The Sun revealed her feud with co-star Rachel Riley.
However, the bookies are already predicting who will fill Anne's shoes.
Richard Osman is being touted as her replacement, after he quit Pointless in April.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Countdown chiefs will have their pick of a whole host of stars if the latest odds are anything to go by, but as things stand it's Richard Osman who leads the way in the race to replace Anne Robinson."
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He added: "However, given the success of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, we wouldn't at all be surprised to see Jon Richardson get the gig."
Anne announced she would be leaving Countdown yesterday.
The TV star - who was the sixth host of the Channel 4 quiz show - told the : "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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"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 will remain on our screens until the summer.
Channel 4 says her replacement will be announced in due course.
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We revealed in November that Anne clashed with maths whizz Rachel, 35, over dressing rooms, make-up artists and wardrobe budgets backstage.
Channel 4 declined to comment at the time, but Anne later admitted: "I'm hard to please".
