Les Dennis confirmed to guest host Countdown

Anne Robinson quit the show earlier this year

Author: Alex RossPublished 26th Jul 2022

After weeks of rumours as to who will be the new host of popular Channel 4 show Countdown, following Anne Robinson's shock exit, former Coronation Street star Les Dennis has some exciting news!

Les, who played the infamous role of Michael Rodwell in ITV soap Corrie, took to Twitter to announce he will be guest hosting the show in August, writing: 'From 4th August until 15th I shall be hosting the iconic @C4Countdown

'It is such an honour. Hope you enjoy.' (sic)

Fans were unsurprisingly thrilled to hear the news, with many replying admitting they are happy to see Les back on TV.

One wrote: 'Welcome back to the box mate', with another adding: 'Good luck Les, you’ll smash it! 👊🏼'. Another added: 'Congratulations Les, you are a great fit for Countdown. Always good to see you on the box'. (sic)

Of course, Les is no stranger to TV gameshows, the 68-year-old hosted Family Fortunes between 1987 and 2002, gaining huge praise at the time.

It's understood Les will host the show as a guest presenter, due to stand-in host Colin Murray having COVID-19 at the time of filming.

Colin is currently standing in to present the popular afternoon show until the end of the year, following Anne Robinson's shock exit earlier this year.

Anne said at the time: "I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful show, and I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.

"I hope too I’ve encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.

"In fact the genius of Countdown is that it’s a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week."

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It hasn't yet been announced who will take over the reigns of Countdown full time, but between 4th-15th August, fans will get to see Les Dennis back on TV.

Countdown airs every weekday on Channel 4 at 2.10pm.

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