Countdown’s Rachel Riley smiles as she takes a swipe at Anne Robinson and ‘drinks a toast to the show’ after host quits

COUNTDOWN’S Rachel Riley took a swipe at Anne Robinson by toasting to the next chapter after the host quit.

The maths whizz was all smiles after the news broke about Anne’s future on the show.

Posting a snap of herself for fans, Rachel said: “Drinking a toast to the next chapter in Countdown’s history… I think you’re going to like it! 🥂🤩.”

There were suggestions Anne had left the Channel 4 show because of a feud with Rachel.

The host – who announced she’s stepping down this summer – admitted she doesn’t speak to Rachel OR Susie Dent while filming the 45-minute show.

But Anne said any question about her leaving because of a rift was “nonsense”.

“I’m not saying I would go on holiday with Rachel Riley, but she is brilliant”, Anne told the .

“Absolutely honestly, I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does, as is Susie Dent. 

“Look, Rachel has just come back from having a baby and she is standing throughout and faultless, whereas I get to sit down.

“She is noisy, yes she and Susie both are – they are a formidable pair those two.”

Reacting to Anne’s departure, Susie wrote on Twitter: “Some Countdown news. Wishing Anne all the very best in her new adventures with her grandchildren and beyond.”

The post was retweeted by Rachel.

Explaining why she doesn’t speak to Rachel, Anne added: “The way that it’s filmed is so tight that… we don’t have time to talk to each other.

“Between shows we have a ten-minute turn around to get changed. We can go for almost a whole run without doing more than waving to each other from the end of a corridor.”

As she announced her departure, Anne insisted she was leaving to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Anne will remain on our screens until the summer.

Channel 4 says her replacement will be announced in due course.