Colin Murray, the new host of Countdown, may not have recorded programmes with previous host Anne Robinson, but he has commented on the change in mood since her departure.
Anne, 78, began the Channel 4 show in 2021 but resigned after just 265 episodes last year, with Colin taking her place.
The 46-year-old presenter has finally spoken out about the shift while keeping polite.
‘The atmosphere has changed and that’s huge,’ he simply said.
The broadcaster also revealed to The Mirror that he had never met Anne, who was formerly renowned for hosting The Weakest Link.
During her run, Anne reportedly clashed with some of the team members, particularly mathematics expert Rachel Riley.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘It’s safe to say there’s no love lost.’
During a previous appearance on Piers Morgan: Uncensored, Piers, 58, pressed Anne to address the rumours of a rift.
When Piers bluntly said, ‘You just didn’t get on with her,’ in response to Anne complimenting Rachel’s maths skills she said: ‘No, I didn’t not get on with her, but some performers like a lot of noise around them before they go on air and others like me, who are trying to get their contestants to remember what their hobbies are, would like some quiet while she’s doing that.
‘So it was important to me that we took her mic off.’
Rachel, 37, complained about Anne on Lorraine while she was still in charge of the show.
She said: ‘[Anne’s] not the cuddliest person in the world, but it’s just a different show now, she’s making it her own.
‘She’s getting some stuff out of the contestants – sometimes it’s barbed, sometimes it’s funny, it’s just got a different flavour.’
During his interview, Colin also discussed his journey to getting his dream job.
He previously filled in as host on Countdown after Nick Hewer left before the top job was given to Anne. When they asked him to once again fill in the gap he said ‘no.’
‘I couldn’t bear the thought of just being a one-night stand again. It would have been professionally heartbreaking. I think my words were, “You’ve got to give me a run of three months”.’
His ultimatum paid off, and he’s been hosting Countdown since the summer of 2022 with no signs of slowing down.
Countdown is on weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.
