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.

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Strictly Come Dancing star, John Sergeant, is being tipped to take over from Des O’Connor as presenter of Countdown.

During the last week it has been revealed that Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling and comic Alexander Armstrong both said “No” when offered the role.

An insider told The Sun: “Alexander turned it down flat and Jeff doesn’t reckon he can balance it with his Sky Sports work. So producers have set their sights on John. They were thinking of a younger presenter, but John has a massive fanbase through Strictly.”

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Former King Of The Jungle, Christopher Biggins has revealed that he has been approached about replacing Des O’Connor on Countdown, but is unsure if he can fit it around his busy Christmas time schedule.

“I’d love to do it,” he said. “They are talking to me but the problem is they are going to be filming while I’m doing pantomime in Southampton. I’m playing Buttons in Cinderella. So there’s a whole process going on.”

TV comedian, Rory Bremner, has revealed that he turned down the chance to take over as the new Countdown host.

Rory stated that though he was flattered to be appraoched by Channel 4 bosses, he felt that the job was not for him.

“Countdown is a unique show with a very loyal audience and for that reason, I felt that they needed someone who was part of the Countdown family, like Jo Brand,” Bremner told MediaGuardian.co.uk. “It was great to be asked, but I was worried I would fail the physical!”
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We brought you the news yesterday, that Carol Vorderman was leaving Channel 4 game show, Countdown after 26 years of loyal service.

At first it was thought that Carol was quitting because Des O’Connor was leaving the show and she couldn’t bear the thought of bonding with another presenter. However, Carol has spoken out today and claimed that she was actually forced out of her job by Channel 4 bosses.

Carol’s agent, John Miles has revealed that Carol was told she could take a 90% pay cut or get out, and given only 48 hours to decide. She then offered to take a 33% budget cut being imposed on the show by ITV Productions, which makes Countdown for Channel 4. But this wasn’t good enough, she was told that the show had survived Richard Whiteley’s death and could easily survive her.

Carols agent stated: “I was stunned that my client’s 26 loyal years were discarded in such a cavalier manner,” he said.

“Having said that, Carol has never claimed she is indispensable.” Read more & comment »

I’m sure that Channel 4 bosses were relieved to read Amy Winehouse’s recent interview with OK magazine.

They may have lost their presenter, Des O’Connor and long serving genius, Carol Vorderman, but it’s all going to be ok because Amy Winehouse wants to appear on their show.

Winehouse admitted to the magazine: “I like Countdown. I would love to go on Countdown. On my life, I would love to go on Countdown!”

I bet they feel much better now

Carol Vorderman has announced that she intends to leave Channel 4 game show, Countdown after 26 years.

The shows current host, Des O’Connor announced his intention to leave on Wednesday of this week and it is said that Carol can’t bear the thought of bonding with another presenter.

The network’s director of television Kevin Lygo said he was “extremely sorry to see Carol leave”.

“She was the first woman on Channel 4 and has made an enormous contribution to the success of Countdown over the last 25 years,” he said.

“We hope to work with her again on other projects.”

Vorderman’s manager, John Miles said: He said: “Countdown has been such a huge part of her life for so long.

“Carol wants to thank all of the crew, the thousands of contestants who have played the game and the millions of Countdown viewers, for whom she has the greatest respect.

“She is extremely sad.”

Another Countdown regular, lexicographer Susie Dent, said the news was “devastating” for the show.

“It’s the end of an era for Countdown, and it’s the end of an era for me - Carol has been my colleague, my mentor, and my friend for over 15 years,” she added.

“She and Richard together made one of the strongest and enduring shows television has ever seen, and also built one of the closest teams.”

Des O’Connor has quit as the host of Channel 4 Countdown and will leave at the end of the current series.

Des said he was leaving so he could return to “entertainment-based TV shows”.

“It’s been wonderful hosting a programme which is part of TV folklore,” the O’Connor told The Sun.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends. Carol Vorderman has been a joy… It’s been a giggle since day one.” Read more & comment »