Tensions on the set of previously soothing Channel 4 quiz show Countdown were said to have reached such heights since acerbic Anne Robinson arrived that her co-presenter Rachel Riley was considering leaving.
Rachel, 35, has, however, made it clear that she will be the last woman standing.
‘This will be my 13th year — and I’ve apparently been telling everyone that I want to beat Carol Vorderman‘s record of 26 years,’ she says.
Drama: Tensions on the set of previously soothing Channel 4 quiz show Countdown were said to have reached such heights since acerbic Anne Robinson arrived that her co-presenter Rachel Riley was considering leaving
‘I don’t remember saying that, but why wouldn’t I want to beat it? Being on Countdown is the best job in the world, and I hope I’m there forever.’
Of Nick Hewer’s 77-year-old successor, Rachel says: ‘It’s true that Anne Robinson’s arrival has given the show a slightly different vibe. Admittedly, she doesn’t mind giving the contestants a bit of a bruising.’
Rachel adds in Saga: ‘Someone asked me if I’m going to stop being “naughty” now that Anne’s in charge. Sorry, but this is me. What you see is what you get.’
It comes after staff at Media City studios in Salford claim that off-camera, there’s tension over Anne’s ‘rather grand ways’, which have earned her the nickname ‘Queen Anne’.
Determination: Rachel, 35, has, however, made it clear that she will be the last woman standing (Anne Robinson pictured on Countdown)
It was reported that The Countdown host, 77, was at loggerheads with maths grad Rachel, and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, with an uncomfortable atmosphere’ erupting since she took on the role.
Yet the former face of The Weakest Link was nothing but complimentary of her colleagues during a recent interview with journalist and sister of the Prime Minister, Rachel Johnson.
Asked directly about the feud, Anne, who took over from Nick Hewer on the Channel 4 game show in June, said: ‘They’re brilliant – both of them actually. Every time I’m astonished how she [Rachel] does that adding up and subtracting – just seconds, absolutely seconds, amazing.’
Anne also said during the chat: ‘I hope I’m always described as difficult, awkward, tricky, impatient, menopausal, any sort of pejorative, grumpy.’ When asked about bitchy, she said ‘not particularly – hard to please.’
Rachel broke her silence on the Countdown ‘feud’ during a recent episode of Lorraine where she also chatted about life as a new mum.
Rachel said: ‘This will be my 13th year — and I’ve apparently been telling everyone that I want to beat Carol Vorderman’s record of 26 years. I don’t remember saying that, but why wouldn’t I want to beat it?’ (Carol pictured with Des Lynam in 2008)
‘She’s getting some stuff out of the contestants – sometimes it’s barbed, sometimes it’s funny, it’s just got a different flavour.’
It was previously reported that Anne turned off Rachel’s microphone on set in October after becoming irritated by the host’s small talk.
According to The Sun, Anne became fed up of listening to Rachel chatting to contestants ahead of going on air, turning up at the last minute and being on her phone too much.
Rachel then reportedly told crew that she ‘completely disagreed’ with being silenced after the incident.
Awkward: Rachel broke her silence on the Countdown ‘feud’ during a recent episode of Lorraine
A source told the publication: ‘It’s safe to say there’s no love lost. Anne is famously known for two things: her dislike of noise and time-keeping. She’ll tolerate neither.
‘Anne also has tinnitus and cannot bear excess sound. Rachel, with her big heels and even bigger personality, can be quite loud on set. Rachel used to chat to contestants before every show, and Anne found it hugely distracting.
‘She felt she couldn’t do her job properly, or bond with the contestants to help them to relax, before the cameras started rolling.
‘The tension was palpable. Anne finds the whole thing hilarious.’
Representatives for Anne, Rachel and Channel 4 were contacted for a comment at the time.
Oh dear: It has been reported that The Countdown host is at loggerheads with maths grad Rachel, 35, and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, with an uncomfortable atmosphere’ erupting since she took on the role
