New Countdown whizz “struggling”
The new Countdown co-host, Rachel Riley, has reportedly been “struggling” to meet the high standards set by Carol Vorderman on the show.
22-year-old Rachel, an Oxford graduate, took over from Carol while presenter Jeff Stelling replaced host Des O’Connor.
Sources from Channel 4 have claimed that in the first few weeks of the show, Rachel couldn’t solve the number puzzles as quickly and accurately as Carol. One of the sources told the News of the World,
“It’s clear she hasn’t managed to match Carol’s skills yet. If the contestants couldn’t solve a problem Carol would quickly do it for them. But during the filming for her first fifteen episodes the new girl made some mistakes.”
An audience member is also quoted in the newspaper as saying, “It was obvious she was doing her best but she was off target a few times when I was watching. It was a little embarrassing but I’m sure she will find her feet. It can be very intimidating standing in front of a studio audience.”
However, a Channel 4 spokeswoman hit back at these rumours, saying “We have pre-recorded a small number of episodes so far. Things have been going very well and Rachel and Jeff make a very good team.”
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High on heels,High on Looks,has the presence of a baby giraffe on tranquilizers maybe the lack of maths skills was to keep in with her blondness!!??
I know I am not alone in finding the new countdown team a huge turn off. Certainly the old format needed a change but this, UGH !!!. Electric blue, a chairman with a meaningless TV grin worthy of Batman’s Joker, and as much presence as a lamppost, and a dazzling blond, but oh so badly in need of directorial assistance (she doesn’t know what to do with her arms or how to handle her very agreeable tallness)
This was a golden opportunity for a major revamp, but the changes made are trivial and meaningless.
Of course there was an increase in the ratings to start with, but mark my words, as it is currently presented, this is the beginning of the end for dear old Countdown.
I agree though I think A Macdonald is being insulting to lamposts. They serve a purpose, some Victorian ones are quite atractive and they all emit bright light but Jeff Stelling is dull, boring and devoid of personality. How much is he being paid for his inane worthless contribution? As for Rachel, she does need direction and is certainly no Vorderman when it comes to the numbers game (I have managed to solve quite a few that have stumped her), but at least she has personality and is pleasing to look at. What odds for Countdown being pulled or presenter changed (again) before year end?