Countdown star lands new BBC show away from Channel 4 series alongside top comedian
COUNTDOWN legend Susie Dent has bagged a brand new role away from the long-running Channel 4 show.
Lexicographer Susie, 59, has been a staple of the letters and numbers programme since joining Dictionary Corner in 1992.
She will now be teaming up with comedian Phil Wang for Unspeakable, a brand new BBC Radio 4 comedy show.
They will challenge their comedy guests to invent new words to describe shared concepts which have, until now, lacked unique names.
The show will be recorded on Tuesday August 27, Monday September 2 & Wednesday, September 4 at The Backyard Comedy Club.
Meanwhile, guests in attendance must be at least 18 years old, while tickets can be booked at www.sroaudiences.com.
It comes as Susie shocked fans last month by revealing her beloved podcast would be ending after five years.
She fronted Something Rhymes With Purple alongside This Morning star Gyles Brandreth.
Addressing listeners at the time, Susie said: “It makes us both sad and excited.
“There will be new things to come, but we will keep the wonderful Purple People community posted about where we are going next and what we are going to do.
“It’s not the end, but in this form, it is.”
Gyles added: “Yes, this is us over three weeks saying au revoi, not farewell to our lovely purple people because life is full of change.”
Something Rhymes With Purple had recorded over 400 episodes.
It also regularly charted on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
A few weeks earlier, Susie updated fans on Instagram with the news that she is set to be an author.
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 Countdown 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.
Her debut novel is titled Guilty by Definition and the star shared how she was feeling about the new venture.
Sharing a link to pre-order a copy, Susie wrote: “This is very happyfying.
“And also a little terrifying.”
Countdown airs on Channel 4