Anne Robinson

Countdown names new permanent host to replace Anne Robinson

Colin Murray announced as new host of Countdown (credit: Channel 4)

Murray has guest hosted the UK’s longest running TV quiz show since summer 2022, becoming a favourite among fans.

Confirming the news on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Murray said: “It’s a career dream to be named as permanent anchor of one of television's most iconic programmes. I have been a fan since day one, been part of the family for over a decade, appearing on Dictionary Corner, and now I get the honour of guiding it into a fifth decade. However, I just don’t want Countdown to survive, I want it to thrive.

Channel 4’s Countdown announces Anne Robinson as host

(credit: Channel 4)

The announcement came via a Countdown conundrum, revealed live on Steph’s Packed Lunch.


(credit: Channel 4)

The formidable former question master of The Weakest Link is the first female host of the iconic programme.

Robinson will be joining wordsmith Susie Dent and number cruncher Rachel Riley on the show and will make her on-screen debut this summer.

Quiz show legends discuss the popularity of hard questions

Jo Street, Judith Keppel, Boyd Hilton, Anne Robinson and James Fox (Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

She was speaking at an RTS early-evening event in early December that celebrated the enduring appeal of quiz shows.

The audience were treated to a clip of Keppel’s triumph – one of British TV’s most iconic moments. Despite appearing calm and clear-headed as she pondered the jackpot question –Which king was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine?* – Keppel admitted: “I was like a duck – I was paddling madly underneath.

“I wasn’t calm at all. I thought my heartbeat was so loud that the mics would pick it up.”