‘This is terrifying!’ admits Countdown’s Susie Dent as she launches new career after 32 years on Channel 4 show
COUNTDOWN star Susie Dent made a big announcement about her career away from the long-running Channel 4 show.
Susie joined Countdown in 1992 and has starred alongside seven hosts throughout her tenure.
Viewers will recognise the lexicographer as a regular in “Dictionary Corner”, a key component in the “letters” portion of the game.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (June 26), Susie shared the exciting news that she is set to be an author.
Her debut book, Guilty By Definition, is set to be released shortly.
She wrote: “This is very happyfying. And also a little terrifying”, while also sharing a link to pre-order a copy.
The original post, shared by publisher Zaffre Books, read: “Introducing the debut novel from Countdown’s @SusieDent… #GuiltyByDefinition.
“Can you solve the mystery of the year?
“Pre-order a signed copy of this unmissable story from @Waterstones now: https://geni.us/GuiltySigned.”
The book’s description reads: “When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it puzzles the team of lexicographers working there.
” It soon becomes clear that this is not the usual eccentric enquiry. The letter hints at secrets, lies, and a particular year.
“For Martha Thornhill, the new Senior Editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant, beautiful older sister Charlie went missing.
“After a decade spent living abroad, Martha has returned to her father, her home, and the city whose institutions have defined her family.
“But the ghosts she had thought to be at rest seem to have been waiting for her to return.
“When more letters arrive and the team pull apart the clues within them, the questions become more insistent and troubling.
“Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, but as the mystery of her disappearance starts to unravel, someone is trying to lead the lexicographers to the truth, while another is desperate to keep it buried.”
Countdown hosts over the years
Since launching in 1982, Channel 4 game show Countdown has become a staple of daytime telly. There have been several presenters throughout the show's long history. Let's take a look back at who has hosted the iconic show.
- Richard Whiteley (1982-2005): The original and longest-serving host, Richard helmed the programme for 23 years. As Countdown was the launch programme for Channel 4, the presenter and journalist was the first person to be seen on the channel. He died in 2005 at the age of 61.
- Des Lynam (2005-2006): Originally from County Clare in Ireland, Des took over from Richard Whiteley after his death. He is known for hosting TV coverage of several sporting events including Wimbledon and the Grand National. He left the show after less than 18 months.
- Des O’Connor (2007-2008): Another Des was next up, in the form of comedian and presenter Des O’Connor. The long-time TV chat show host was known for The Des O’Connor Show and Take Your Pick. He left Countdown to focus on entertainment projects. Des O’Connor died in 2020, aged 88.
- Jeff Stelling (2009-2011): Known for his work presenting Gillette Soccer Saturday, Jeff became the fourth host of Countdown. He had reportedly previously been in consideration to replace Richard Whiteley. He left after three years to focus on football coverage.
- Nick Hewer (2012-2021): Former public relations consultant Nick was one of Lord Sugar’s advisors for 10 years on The Apprentice. He became the new host of Countdown in 2012, appearing on both shows for two years. He ultimately left the show after nine years.
- Anne Robinson (2021-2022): Best known as the original host of The Weakest Link, in 2021 Anne became the first female Countdown presenter. She left the programme a year later, having recorded 265 episodes.
- Colin Murray (2022-present): Before being named the permanent Countdown host, Colin Murray had been appearing on a guest basis since 2020. He returned to the show following Anne Robinson’s departure.
Earlier this year, Susie discussed plans for her funeral while making a guest appearance on the Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake podcast.
She said: “I’d like to have some naff 80s music playing very loudly and be carried in on a rickshaw. I’ve not been on one before.
“I’d like to be buried with all 20 volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary, so that could be a bit of a struggle coming up to a hill.”
Countdown airs on Channel 4.