Countdown's new host revealed: Colin Murray has already started filming

Countdown host Anne Robinson has been replaced by Colin Murray.

The BBC Radio DJ has stepped in as guest presenter of the Channel 4 brainteaser quiz show after 77-year-old Robinson announced her retirement.

A spokesperson for Countdown confirmed to Yahoo UK: "Colin has started filming on set in Salford. He will be in the show until late Autumn."

Murray, 45, has previously guest hosted the show in 2020, when former presenter Nick Hewer, 78, was shielding at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Northern Irish presenter rose to fame as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 and currently hosts sports show Fighting Talk on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Murray is also known for presenting Channel 4 breakfast show RI:SE between 2002 and 2003.

Robinson took over as host of Countdown in June 2021 but announced at the beginning of May she is stepping down after recording 265 episodes.

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She said in a statement: “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...

“But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention.”

Robinson will continue to appear in episodes until the summer, alongside maths whizz Rachel Riley and dictionary corner lead Susie Dent.

Since Robinson joined the show there have been ongoing rumours of a rift between her and co-presenter Riley.

Countdown - a game of words and numbers - was first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982, with Richard Whiteley hosting and mathematician Carol Vorderman assisting.

Since Whiteley's death in 2005, presenters have included Des Lynam, Des O'Connor and Sky Sports journalist Jeff Stelling.

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Robinson replaced The Apprentice star Nick Hewer as host. He retired after 10 years at the helm.

Watch: Anne Robinson discusses having an abortion in ther 20s