She was famed for her abrasive presenting style when dispatching contestants on The Weakest Link.
But Anne Robinson has nothing but nice things to say about her two new Countdown co-stars as she prepares to take the reins from departing host Nick Hewer.
She said on Monday, following the announcement that she’d be joining the show: ‘I am beyond thrilled to be joining Countdown. The show is almost as old as I am and just as historic.
‘I’ll make do with this old one!’ New Countdown host Anne Robinson quips ‘there’s no time for a facelift’ as she prepares to work with ‘younger, prettier’ Rachel Riley and Susie Dent
‘I am particularly excited to be working alongside the show’s two other formidable women.’
Referencing maths whiz Rachel Riley, 35, and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, Anne, 76, added: ‘Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me.
‘Sadly, there’s no time for another facelift so I’ll have make do with this old one.’
Anne was making a tongue-in-cheek reference to her famed plastic surgery, having spent thousands on facelifts in the past.
The former Points Of View presenter also vowed to ‘tone down my nastiness’, speaking on Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Trio: Referencing maths whiz Rachel, 35, and lexicographer Susie, 56, Anne, 76, added – ‘Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me’
Anne added: ‘I am particularly excited to be working alongside the show’s two other formidable women’
Outgoing: Nick was snapped shortly after the announcement was made about his replacement
‘I really have been practising to be nice… not always successfully. But I am going to tone down my nastiness… sort of,’ she said.
Nick was snapped shortly after the announcement was made about his replacement.
Wearing a trench coat and carrying a briefcase, Nick seemed in a cheery mood as he left a taping of the show at Media City in Salford.
He announced in December that he was quitting the quiz show after ten years in the hot seat and Anne is expected to appear in the new all-woman line-up in a few months time.
Dapper: Wearing a trench coat and carrying a briefcase, Nick seemed in a cheery mood as he left a taping of the show at Media City in Salford
New appointment: The former Points Of View presenter also vowed to ‘tone down my nastiness’, speaking on Steph’s Packed Lunch
Anne added to Steph McGovern on Monday: ‘I want to rename [the show] Three Clever Girls Do Countdown.’
Asked if she’s a fan of conundrums, she added: ‘I love anagrams. I do The Times crossword every day. I’m not very good at adding up or subtracting…
‘I’ll tell you what’s great about this show, it’s very clever contestants who have to work at speed. I think that’s what’s most impressive, they do it within 30 seconds.’
He’s off: Hewer has presented Countdown since 2012, but he has made the decision to step down as host after taking a temporary break in order to shield from the spread of coronavirus at home
Well done: Confirmation of her appointment on the Channel 4 staple was made on Monday morning’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch, where her name formed a Countdown inspired conundrum
Reaching out: Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman, who worked as the show’s resident math’s whizz from 1982 to 2008, was among those on hand to congratulate Robinson
Congratulations: Show bookworm Susie Dent also reached out to Robinson on Monday afternoon
Robinson also told Steph she’s slightly scared of Susie and Rachel’s brains, adding: ‘The three of us will transform things, it will be Countdown goes chic, won’t it?!’
And she sent a message to viewers, saying: ‘Keep watching and please can we have some female contestants?’
Steph asked how she feels about returning to TV, with Robinson saying: ‘I feel more at home on the telly than I do anywhere else. I’m delighted.
‘I did slightly hope, with diversity, I might take over from Gary Lineker on Match of the Day but then the Countdown request came and it’s much better.’
Robinson also confirmed she’ll be on screen later this year, telling viewers: ‘You’ll start seeing us three clever girls early summer.’
Divided: News of Robinson’s arrival sparked a mixed response among viewers of the show, with some calling it an inspired appointment, while others claimed Robinson was too old
The presenter became a familiar presence on TV screens after fronting BBC show’s What The Papers Say, Watchdog and Points Of View during the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s.
But it was her straight-talking approach and popular catchphrase on The Weakest Link that helped turn her into a household name.
Running from 2000 to 2012, the hugely successful show was syndicated across the world and became renowned for Robinson’s famous sign-off – ‘You are the Weakest Link, goodbye.’
Old times: Robinson became a familiar presence on TV screens after fronting BBC show’s What The Papers Say, Watchdog and Points Of View (pictured hosting What The Papers Say in 1982)
Success: But it was her straight-talking approach and popular catchphrase on The Weakest Link that helped turn her into a household name
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman, who worked as the show’s resident math’s whizz from 1982 to 2008, was among those on hand to congratulate Robinson.
‘Wishing lovely Anne the very best on Countdown,’ she tweeted. ‘I hope your time on the show is as happy as mine was for so very many years. Only the happiest of memories.’
Show bookworm Susie Dent added: ‘A big day for Countdown as we welcome a new member into the best TV family in the world (I may be biased).’
Can’t wait: Speaking live on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Robinson told host Steph McGovern she’s excited to be joining show regulars Rachel Riley and Susie Dent
Fearful: Robinson also told Steph she’s slightly scared of Susie and Rachel’s brains, adding, ‘The three of us will transform things, it will be Countdown goes chic, won’t it?!’
However news of Robinson’s arrival sparked a mixed response among viewers of the show, with some calling it an inspired appointment, while others claimed Robinson was too old.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: ‘So excited!! Anne Robinson is the prefect choice’
While another commented: ‘Countdown go edgy and leftfield with their next host, the very experience autumn-chicken Anne Robinson.’
A third, less enthused viewer, added: ‘It must be April Fools Day. She is 76.’
Evidently in agreement, a fourth wrote: ‘I can see Anne Robinson working well on Countdown. She can do light just as well as stern.
‘Probably a bit old however – not to do her down, but I can’t see her wanting to do more than a couple of years. She’s 76 already.’
Outgoing host Hewer confirmed his departure from the show in December following a nine year spell as its regular presenter.
Farewell: Outgoing host Hewer confirmed his departure from the show in December following a nine year spell as its regular presenter
Hewer, 76, had been temporarily replaced by Colin Murray while he shielded at home following the spread of coronavirus, but later revealed he will not be returning.
Sharing a series of tweets, he wrote: ‘Delighted to be back in the Countdown studio after another enforced lockdown, BUT this latest lockdown has given me an opportunity to consider my future life.
‘I’ve decided it’s a good time to step down at the end of my contract in the New Year.’
Main man: Richard Whiteley hosted Countdown from its launch in 1982 until his death in 2005
Difference of opinion: Fans of the show continued to air their thoughts on Twitter following Robison’s announcement
All change: Des Lynam took over following Whiteley’s death, with the presenter asking the questions from 2005 to 2006
Her added: ‘As someone in his 77th year, who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution that is Countdown, I think it’s time to smell the flowers and get a dog.
‘But let me now take the opportunity to say that it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to take the helm of Countdown, first broadcast back in 1982 and still a Guinness record holder.
‘Although I’ll be on your screens well into 2021, let me thank the broadcasters Channel 4, the truly dedicated and unwaveringly professional studio crew and production staff at ITV Studios who make the programmes, all 250 or so a year.
‘My wonderfully talented co-hosts Susie Dent and Rachel Riley but above all, the quirky genius of producer Damian Eadie, who never ceases to amuse and who always demands the best of us.
‘And a sincere thanks to our loyal viewers and of course the legions of contestants who battle their brains out for the chance of carrying off the Richard Whiteley Trophy or a priceless teapot.
‘And so, to whoever takes my seat, I wish you every success and hope that you have as much fun and reward as I’ve enjoyed.’
My turn: The late Des O’Connor hosted the long-running show from 2007 to 2008
Stepping in: He was followed by Jeff Stelling, who acted as Countdown host from 2009 until 2011, with Nick Hewer taking over the following year
Robinson becomes the show’s sixth full time presenter, following original hos Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling and the outgoing Hewer.
The show launched with Channel 4 on November 2nd 1982 and has become something of an institution during its 39 year run.
It was the first programme to be screened on 4, with 81 series and over 7,000 episodes airing to date.