Rachel Riley of Countdown has thrown a veiled jab at her former co-star Anne Robinson.
The 78-year-old Weakest Link veteran left the long-running Channel 4 programme last year after only 265 episodes, confessing she’d remained ‘longer than I signed up for.’
There were accusations of a ‘feud’ between Anne and Rachel, 37, during her year-long stay, which the former Watchdog presenter later denied.
Following Anne’s resignation, it was revealed that Countdown’s temporary presenter Colin Murray would be taking up the post permanently, describing it as a “dream profession.”
Rachel, who earlier stated that she was happy to have the ‘kind’ 46-year-old on board, has revealed more about her co-star and Anne.
Discussing the two hosts, the former Strictly star told The Daily Mail: ‘Anne was a lot more headmistress style and that suits some people, and some people enjoyed it. I don’t think it’s any secret that I am enjoying working with Colin a lot more.
‘She’s been in the industry a long time and she knows what she wants so she decided to leave and good luck to her, but Countdown is not really about us, any of us could go and as long as the letters and numbers are still there… then that’s what the viewers want.
‘I am not under any illusion that people watch it for me… they watch it because they like to play the game so long may that continue.’
On Piers Morgan’s Uncensored last May, Anne was grilled about her relationship with Rachel, with Piers asking her: ‘You didn’t get on with [her].’
Anne quickly responded: ‘No, I didn’t not get on with her, but some performers like a lot of noise around them before they go on air and others like me, who are trying to get their contestants to remember what their hobbies are, would like some quiet while she’s doing that.
‘So it was important to me that we took her mic off.’
Speaking at length about Colin in January, Rachel enthused he was an ‘absolute Countdown geek’ and described the studio’s environment as a ‘happy ship.’
She also stated that Countdown viewers adore Colin, which she considers to be the “most crucial thing.”
‘The viewing figures have gone multiple times what they were,’ she claimed.
‘We’re in the Champions of Champions series at the moment and the response we’ve had from viewers is that they’re just so happy that he’s there and they’re really enjoying the show. That’s why we make it, isn’t it?’
When Channel 4 debuted in November 1982, the quiz show was the first programming to run.
Originally presented by Richard Whiteley, it was adapted from the French TV programme Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters).
Subsequent presenters included Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling, before Nick took over in 2012.
Countdown airs weekdays on Channel 4 at 2.10pm.
