View Full Version : O'Connor quits as 'Countdown' host
Des O'Connor is to quit as the host of Countdown at the end of the current series.
The presenter, who took over the show in January 2007, said he is leaving so he can return to working on "entertainment-based shows".
"It's been wonderful hosting a programme which is part of TV folklore," the 76-year-old 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."
He continued: "But I miss the thrill of stepping out on a live stage for the one-man concerts and the challenge of live TV entertainment-based shows."
O'Connor's last show will air in November.
Channel 4's head of daytime Helen Warner said: "We are very sorry to see Des leave.
"He has done a fantastic job hosting Countdown, bringing warmth and humour to the role, as well as the benefit of his many years in the business."
Previous Countdown hosts include Richard Whiteley and Des Lynam.
Thank heavens, I like the programme but can't abide him, I don't find him funny in the least. Hope they get somebody younger as his replacement
Christopher Biggins has been approached to replace Des O'Connor on Countdown.
The I'm A Celebrity... champion, a Dictionary Corner regular, revealed on This Morning that he had been asked to host the Channel 4 quiz but was unsure if he could arrange filming around his pantomime 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."
Comic actor and regular Have I Got News For You host Alexander Armstrong is also rumoured to be in line for the Countdown job.
I reckon he would do a great job :thumbsup:
SKY Sports legend Jeff Stelling is set to become the new host of hit telly quiz Countdown.
The sharp-witted Soccer Saturday frontman will replace retiring presenter Des O’Connor.
Stelling, who has become a cult hero on Sky’s six-hour footie results service, was linked with Countdown in 2005 after the death of legendary host Richard Whiteley.
But bosses hired Des Lynam instead because he was seen to have a higher profile. O’Connor later took over, but quit this year, as did brainbox Carol Vorderman.
Hartlepool Utd fan Stelling, who writes in The Sun’s Saturday football pull-out Super Goals, is said to be “loving” the idea of hosting Countdown.
One telly source said: “He’d be perfect. He’s quick-witted, clean-cut and is bound to be a hit with housewives.”
Stelling, 52, will be offered the Channel 4 job, but will NOT quit Soccer Saturday.
A Countdown source said: “We are confident of getting him.”
Dad-of-three Stelling is renowned for his hilarious quips on the Sky football show.
When Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu scored for Sheffield Wednesday, he joked: “Local boy makes good.”
Whenever a player named Stephenson nets, he says: “I bet that was a rocket.”
And each time Hartlepool’s James Brown scores, Stelling produces a James Brown doll which sings I Feel Good.
KAI Laddiman, 11, of Broad Oak, East Sussex, yesterday became the youngest contestant to win Countdown’s Octochamp title since 1988.
I watched this youngster a few times on the show - he is just brilliant. Well done, Kai :clap:
Countdown chiefs have solved a conundrum by making Alexander Armstrong the game show’s new presenter.
The comedian and actor – famous for his Pimm’s adverts – was given his contract yesterday and has verbally accepted the job.
He’s expected to sign the papers over the weekend and a celebratory dinner with Channel 4 is already arranged for next week.
A source close to the actor said: "Alexander was delighted to be offered the job and can’t wait to get started.
"He is a big fan of the show and wants to make his mark on it. The hope is he will bring in a whole new audience to the much-loved show."
The news will end months of speculation about who will succeed Des O’Connor. He had replaced Des Lynam, who took the job in 2005 after the death of Richard Whiteley.
But producers are still searching for a maths whiz to replace legendary co-host Carol Vorderman, who was ousted in the summer.
Armstrong, 38, most recently seen in the BBC1 comedy drama Mutual Friends, will be on air in Countdown from January.
It just wont be the same :(
Pinkbanana
18-10-2008, 20:00
Countdown chiefs have solved a conundrum by making Alexander Armstrong the game show’s new presenter.
Oh I like him, think I might even start watching it in the school hols (again). He should be entertaining....but there will be no Carol, right???
Sooo who or what is going to replace her??? :hmm:
Can't stand him! He's NOT funny. Shall be switching off one of my favourite shows now with him as a host. I can't see him sticking around for very long, he'll get ideas above his status and swan off, leaving the show in the **** again.
Countdown chiefs have solved a conundrum by making Alexander Armstrong the game show’s new presenter.
Oh I like him, think I might even start watching it in the school hols (again). He should be entertaining....but there will be no Carol, right???
Sooo who or what is going to replace her??? :hmm:
No Carol!
see its just on the same! :(
COUNTDOWN bosses will be thinking of four-letter words after comedy actor Alexander Armstrong pulled out of a deal to host the show at the 11th hour.
Armstrong, 38, had been sent a contract after saying he would like to follow in the footsteps of hosts Des O’Connor, Des Lynam and the late Richard Whiteley.
He withdrew days after looking embarrassed when ribbed about Countdown on BBC1s Have I Got News for You on Friday.
A source for Channel 4 said: “It is a race against time to get someone because the series begins filming in January. We were desperate for Alexander to do it.”
thank goodness, never liked him in the first place, like him even less now
i hope they give it to a relatively unkown - someone who wont get too big for their boots and quit after a year or two. countdown needs some stability after the last few years
Political broadcaster John Sergeant is the latest to be linked to hosting Countdown.
It was reported yesterday that comedian Alexander Armstrong had pulled out of the job.
Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling and panto veteran Christopher Biggins are also rumoured to be in the running to replace Des O'Connor.
According to The Sun, Sergeant is Channel 4's favoured choice, but he has been unable to provide a screentest because he is working on Strictly Come Dancing.
"Producers have set their sights on John," said a source. "They were thinking of a younger presenter, but John has a massive fanbase through Strictly.
"He's also a bit of a wag, having been a comedian in his younger years, so would keep things light."
Countdown will return with a new host in early 2009.
That is, of course, if they can find somebody willing to host it :lol:
SKY Sports presenter Jeff Stelling HAS landed the Countdown job, The Sun can reveal.
The sharp-witted Soccer Saturday frontman will replace retiring host Des O’Connor — just as we predicted last month.
Stelling, a cult hero on Sky’s six-hour footie results show, was up against comic Alexander Armstrong for the job.
Armstrong was offered a contract, but turned it down, leaving C4 chiefs in the lurch.
Dad-of-three Stelling will be unveiled as the fourth host in the quiz’s 26-year history later this week. He was linked with Countdown in 2005 after presenter Richard Whiteley died. But bosses plumped for Des Lynam.
O’Connor then took over, but quit this year along with the show’s brainbox Carol Vorderman.
Hartlepool Utd fan Stelling, who writes for The Sun, will NOT quit Soccer Saturday.
A Countdown source said the star had not yet had a screen test because he was on holiday.
The insider added: “Barring any problems, he has the job.”
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