Anne Robinson quits as Countdown host after one year in Channel 4 role

Anne Robinson has announced her departure from Countdown after just one year.

The 77-year-old had taken over from The Apprentice star Nick Hewer as host of the Channel 4 quiz show in 2021, recording 265 episodes of the show over the past 12 months.

Also following in the footsteps of Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling, Anne was the first woman to host Countdown since its launch in 1982.

She is set to continue in the role until the summer, when a new host whose name is yet to be announced will take over, the Mirror reports .

The former Weakest Link star issued a statement on her decision to quit, saying: "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.

"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," she continued.

"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," Robinson added.

A spokesperson for the iconic show said: "Quick-witted Anne has been a brilliant host on this iconic show."

Anne joined mathematician Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent on the series in June last year.

There have been several reports of clashes between Robinson and Riley - all of which have been denied by the stars.

Rachel told Lorraine Kelly on her ITV show in November: "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."

Speaking about Robinson's famous icy persona, for which she gained fame after years of delivering cutting remarks to contestants on The Weakest Link, Riley told Lorraine: "She is not the cuddliest person in the world. 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."

Channel 4 has confirmed that the new Countdown host will be announced in due course.