Romesh Ranganathan is the bookies’ favourite to replace Anne Robinson as the host of Countdown

Romesh Ranganathan is the bookies’ favourite to replace Anne Robinson as the host of Countdown, after the former Weakest Link quizmaster announced she’s stepping down from her current role.

The comedian is priced at 2/1 by Paddy Power to continue following Robinson around, after replacing her on the Weakest Link last year.

A shock return for Carol Vorderman is also considered likely by bookies, as she’s 4/1 to swap the numbers and letters for a seat in the host’s chair.

Others in the running to be the new face of the Channel 4 show include Fiona Bruce (7/1) and the man with the best agent in the game, Jermaine Jenas (8/1) – because he’s not already on screens enough…

With wide reports of a feud between Robinson and co-star Rachel Riley, the maths whizz is now as long as 12/1 to also leave Countdown this year. Punters can also get odds of 4/1 that the show is quite literally counting down to a cancellation by the end of 2025.

For fans of awkward winking and brutal takedowns, Robinson may not be off screens for long – she’s 11/1 to head to the I’m A Celebrity jungle, and is most likely to start in next year’s Great Celebrity Bake Off (7/1).

Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Anne Robinson’s time on Countdown certainly hasn’t been plain sailing, so it’s understandable that she’d want to take a step back now. Trying to get her and Rachel Riley to get along was a puzzle that no maths genius could solve.

“After already taking over on the Weakest Link, Romesh Ranganathan is now a bank-er to follow in Anne’s footsteps once more.”

NEXT COUNTDOWN PRESENTER
2/1 Romesh Ranganathan
4/1 Carol Vorderman
7/1 Fiona Bruce
8/1 Jermaine Jenas
10/1 Paul O’Grady
10/1 Kate Garraway
11/1 Colin Murray
12/1 Jeff Stelling
14/1 Dara O’Briain
14/1 Dermot O’Leary
14/1 Jimmy Carr
16/1 Rachel Riley
16/1 Victoria Derbyshire
16/1 Rochelle Humes
20/1 Phillip Schofield
20/1 Ben Shephard
20/1 Jon Richardson

COUNTDOWN SPECIALS
4/1 Show to be cancelled by 2025
5/1 Rachel Riley to leave show by 2025
12/1 Rachel Riley to leave show in 2022
25/1 Show to be cancelled during 2022