Carol Vorderman yesterday filmed her final appearance on the show in which she’s starred for 26 years.

She couldn’t hold back the tears as she filmed the last of more than 4,750 episodes of the Channel 4 show.

She choked back her emotions and told the Daily Mirrior, “I know that not having Countdown will leave a massive hole in my life and that is so sad.”

Carol, 47, quit after a row over her pay in which Countdown bosses told her she must accept a 90% cut in her reported £1.2 million-a-year contract.

In a special compilation of clips to mark her career with Coundown, Carol was “reunited” with late host Richard Whiteley as clips of the two were played.

She added, “It was a very special send-off, especially when I saw Richard’s face on screen.

“They showed all our cock-ups and the tears flowed. But I can’t believe it has come to an end – or how kind everyone has been.”

Carol’s final episode will be shown in December.