New Host

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:50 pm

Anyone have any thoughts on the news that Alexander Armstrong is said to be the current favourite to be the next host of Countdown?

Personally, I don't really know what to think, as I've not watched Armstrong & Miller, but my worry radar has been duly activated!

See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... tdown.html for more details.

Conor · Post by **Conor** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:17 pm

He's certainly not someone I'd have expected to be linked with the job, and I don't know if he'd appeal to docile, slightly-senile old ladies. But personally, I'd consider him a decent choice: I find Armstrong and Miller quite funny.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:24 am

His turns on HIGNFY have always been fun- god knows he's done enough of them- he'd be alright as a host but as said, there are some suitability questions in there.

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:31 am

I read in The Saturday Mail that Alexander Armstrong is now favourite to replace Des as the new host as a result of Rory Bremner and Michael Palin turning down offers of the job.

He was in my list as a DC guest so he certainly gets an endorsement from me. He was very good on 'Have I Got News For You and I think he would have universal appeal with his ebullient personality and quick wit.

Debbi Flack · Post by **Debbi Flack** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:27 pm

I hadn't heard that rumour, but would be more than happy to see him in the hosts chair - I think he's does a fab job on HIGNFY.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:42 pm

A Countdown host who's younger than me???

Seriously though, I love Armstrong's comedy shows, and his hosting of HIGNFY. I think he'd be great.

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:08 pm

I'd be quite happy with Alexander Armstrong!

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:40 am

I read that Christopher Biggins has said he has been approached to host it but is not sure whether he will be able to fit the filming in around his panto season in Southampton.

I don't think you will be able to do it Christopher. Decline the offer.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:07 pm

Thinking about Armstrong, though, would he want to do it?
He acts in dramas as well as doing his comedy shows. If he hosted Countdown, would casting producers see him as typecast as a presenter?
I mean, for instance, however good an actor Carol might or might not be, I can't really see her doing TV stuff other than presenting.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:55 pm

I would rather have Christopher Biggins over Alexander Armstrong, although Alexander wouldn't be bad. That is to say, he would be miles better than Vernon Kay!

Michael Simmonds · Post by **Michael Simmonds** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:42 pm

Contrary to the speculation over Alexander Armstrong taking over as the new host, the latest betting suggests otherwise.

He is not even currently quoted in the latest odds on Betfair, (which for those of you who don't know is an on-line betting site), and the one surprise here is the introduction of Jeff Stelling (Sky Sports) into the market at the skinny odds of 5-2, which suggests to me that someone knows something that we don't!

The first 6 in the betting are as follows:- Richard Digance, Tom O'Connor and Jeff Stelling are all roughly co-favourites, closely followed by Aled Jones (please God NO!), Christopher Biggins and Terry Wogan.

My personal favourites would be either Tom O'Connor or Richard Digance, at least we'd get a few laughs, and Richard in particular always had such a great rapport with Richard Whiteley, that it would be some sort of connection with the past which we seem to be losing. Or am I being too nostalgic?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:48 pm

I would like Richard Digance!

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 1:22 am

If it is Richard Digance I may have to stop watching.

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:26 am

Jason Larsen wrote:I would like Richard Digance!

I'm sorry Jason, you can't have him.

Michael Simmonds wrote:the one surprise here is the introduction of Jeff Stelling

Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports is probably my favourite TV show during the football season, even though Phil Thomson is usually on it, and that's because Jeff Stelling is totally awesome. He'd be an excellent choice for the job, but I'm not sure he'd take it - he's turned down moves to both BBC and ITV in the past, and seems happy doing what he's doing at the moment. Of course, the Countdown gig is a bit different as I guess he could fit it in around his Sky commitments, so who knows?

Debbi Flack · Post by **Debbi Flack** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:54 am

If it was Chris Biggins I'd have to stop watching - either that or put a sledgehammer through the screen the first time he's on.
I think either Richard Digance or Tom O' Connor would be good, but it's a shame about Alexander Armstrong.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:58 am

DebbiF wrote:If it was Chris Biggins I'd have to stop watching - either that or put a sledgehammer through the screen the first time he's on.
I think either Richard Digance or Tom O' Connor would be good, but it's a shame about Alexander Armstrong.

I would have to echo those sentiments about Digance or O'Connor - I love them both (in a presentery/watching kind of way).

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:33 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I would like Richard Digance!

Your signature is really annoying. I know people will come along and say that I can disable signatures under options or whatever, but I only want to disable the annoying ones!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 2:20 pm

Everybody:

Chris-to-pher! Chris-to-pher!

Also, Gavin, I have gotten rid of my signature. I was thinking about making a new one that says, "DES O'CONNOR, #1" on it, but in that case, who would be #2?

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:34 pm

I'm sure Drew Carey would be a great number 2.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:43 pm

The reason why I got rid of my signature is because Gavin thought it was annoying. I don't think he likes Drew Carey.

But, if Drew Carey somehow became the new host of Countdown, I'm sure Gwendolyn Osborne from Bath would be a great co-host with him. She had worked with Take That and is now a model on The Price is Right here which Drew hosts.

However, she is now living here in America and has since married an American basketball sportscaster by the name of Kenny Smith.

Martin Smith · Post by **Martin Smith** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:36 pm

I like the idea of Jeff Stelling. Good solid host on the football, a master of amusing running gags 'dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions', and probably about time he presented something on terrestrial TV. Most of the apparent favourites would be fine by me though.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:40 am

I would not like Jeff Stelling!

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:41 am

I am fed up with all this bickering about Jeff Stelling

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:01 am

Dinos Sfyris wrote:I'm sure Drew Carey would be a great number 2.

I, certainly, have always thought or Drew Carey as a great, big, steaming pile of number 2.

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:07 am

Jason Larsen wrote:I would not like Jeff Stelling!

Having no interest in football, I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

I think Digance or Armstrong would be OK.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:44 pm

Chris, I agree with you.

David, I get your joke, but it's bad.

Peter, as I said, Richard or Alexander would be miles better than Vernon Kay!

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:16 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:
David, I get your joke, but it's bad.

It's not a joke, Jason. I have twitchy, homicidal thoughts about Drew Carey in the dead of night.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:32 pm

David, Drew Carey almost thought about doing that to himself but he decided not to. First, he became host of US Whose Line and rather than retiring, he hosted the US Price is Right!

Now, tell me he's a fighter with a lot of courage!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:07 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Now, tell me he's a fighter with a lot of courage!

He's a massive cock.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:26 pm

Drew?

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:25 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Drew?

No - he lost. Hahaha

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:08 am

I know Drew is not the new Countdown host.

But, Kirk, he is a great guy!

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:47 am

Jason Larsen wrote:I know Drew is not the new Countdown host.

But, Kirk, he is a great guy!

I'm flattered, Jason - I didn't know you felt that way about me.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:27 pm

Kirk, you're a great guy too, but I like Drew. Drew Carey, that is!

Michael Simmonds · Post by **Michael Simmonds** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:23 am

Latest update, is that Alexander Armstrong was reintroduced into the betting on Friday, and has now become favourite again!

Anyone interested in seeing the current list of odds can log on to http://www.betfair.co.uk, click on sports, then special bets, then either the Countdown Permanent Presenter betting will show, or you may have to click again on UK to bring up the list.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:26 pm

Alex-ander! Alex-ander!

Karen Pearson · Post by **Karen Pearson** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:55 am

http://www.thesun.co.uk:80/sol/homepage ... 804555.ece

Well, it's in The Sun, so it must be true.

Mike Brailsford · Post by **Mike Brailsford** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:24 pm

I would prefer Jeff Stelling to Alexander Armstrong. JS brightens up Saturday afternoons. I can imagine him saying things like that is 5th time in 7 games that the letter E has appeared as the first vowel chosen.

I did enjoy Alexander's comedy show with Ben Miller, but individually, I'm not so much of a fan of them.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:59 pm

Karen Pearson wrote:http://www.thesun.co.uk:80/sol/homepage ... 804555.ece

Well, it's in The Sun, so it must be true.

This is excellent, I hope it's true

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:13 pm

Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!

I didn't like the idea of him hosting Countdown at first, but then I thought I shouldn't make judgments.

Also, I will wait until someone like Kate Horton comes on here to confirm it's officially true!

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:27 pm

Someone like Kate Horton?

You must mean Penelope Keith?

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:30 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
Karen Pearson wrote:http://www.thesun.co.uk:80/sol/homepage ... 804555.ece

Well, it's in The Sun, so it must be true.
This is excellent, I hope it's true

As soon as I read this, all I could think of was Jeff sitting in Des' chair, with the contestants in their favourite teams football shirts (new rule) and the studio strewn with football stuff

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:55 pm

Damian, you can't trust every newspaper's website, in England or elsewhere.

So, Damian Eadie, since you're online right now I want to make this the $64,000 question. Is Jeff Stelling the new host of Countdown?

Simon Cooper · Post by **Simon Cooper** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:03 pm

[quote="Joseph Bolas
As soon as I read this, all I could think of was Jeff sitting in Des' chair, with the contestants in their favourite teams football shirts (new rule) and the studio strewn with football stuff

[/quote]

. . . and a little singing doll on his desk whenever there's a contestant named 'James' or 'Brown'

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:11 pm

Simon Cooper wrote:
Joseph Bolas wrote: As soon as I read this, all I could think of was Jeff sitting in Des' chair, with the contestants in their favourite teams football shirts (new rule) and the studio strewn with football stuff
. . . and a little singing doll on his desk whenever there's a contestant named 'James' or 'Brown'

To be honest, I wouldn't know anything about that

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:29 pm

I'm not really a football fan nowadays - I got over that about 20 odd years ago before the money men took over. I couldn't even be arsed to watch the frst Cup Final Pompey have reached (and won) in my lifteime! However, I did record it and watched it later after I knew the result.

However, Jeff Stelling is an amiable guy and as long as football doesn't take over the show, I wouldn't object to him.

I would still prefer Aleaxander Armstrong on balance.

Al

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:25 am

aagharmer wrote:However, Jeff Stelling is an amiable guy and as long as football doesn't take over the show, I wouldn't object to him.

I have never watched him on Sky Sports, but somehow I get the feeling that he's going to be one of these people who, in every round, will try to relate the words offered by the contestants, number targets or conundrum answer to football (kinda like how Jo Brand has to make up a word for each word round).

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:56 am

We'll see if we all predicted correctly very soon, I bet!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:14 am

Joseph Bolas wrote:I have never watched him on Sky Sports, but somehow I get the feeling that he's going to be one of these people who, in every round, will try to relate the words offered by the contestants, number targets or conundrum answer to football (kinda like how Jo Brand has to make up a word for each word round).

You're such an idiot sometimes.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:17 am

Jeff Stelling taking over from Des?
Whatever next?
Who will take over from Carol?

Maths Le Tissier?

Michael Simmonds · Post by **Michael Simmonds** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:03 am

Michael Simmonds wrote:Contrary to the speculation over Alexander Armstrong taking over as the new host, the latest betting suggests otherwise.

He is not even currently quoted in the latest odds on Betfair, (which for those of you who don't know is an on-line betting site), and the one surprise here is the introduction of Jeff Stelling (Sky Sports) into the market at the skinny odds of 5-2, which suggests to me that someone knows something that we don't!

The first 6 in the betting are as follows:- Richard Digance, Tom O'Connor and Jeff Stelling are all roughly co-favourites, closely followed by Aled Jones (please God NO!), Christopher Biggins and Terry Wogan.

My personal favourites would be either Tom O'Connor or Richard Digance, at least we'd get a few laughs, and Richard in particular always had such a great rapport with Richard Whiteley, that it would be some sort of connection with the past which we seem to be losing. Or am I being too nostalgic?

You heard it here first!!

Michael Simmonds · Post by **Michael Simmonds** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:08 am

Chris Corby wrote:Jeff Stelling taking over from Des?
Whatever next?
Who will take over from Carol?

Maths Le Tissier?

To sum up, and without wishing to take away anything from Maths Le Tissier, I think his appointment might divide opinion. However, his selection would certainly add interest, and could easily multiply the number of football fans tuning in.

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:02 pm

Maths Le Tissier?

To sum up, and without wishing to take away anything from Maths Le Tissier, I think his appointment might divide opinion. However, his selection would certainly add
interest, and could easily multiply the number of football fans tuning in.

And he would be handy if it goes to a penalty shoot-out!

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:21 pm

Damian E wrote:Someone like Kate Horton?

You must mean Penelope Keith?

Says Right Said Fred himself.....

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:27 pm

And our new host is...

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:29 pm

There are two of them in Right Said Fred.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:37 pm

Damian E wrote:There are two of them in Right Said Fred.

Not giving us an exclusive, then, Damian?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:41 pm

His name starts with A or J, that's what we know for sure!

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:01 pm

Damian E wrote:There are two of them in Right Said Fred.

There were three of them, the two bald blokes and another bloke with hair who was always pushed into the background. Although they may have ditched the hirsute fella in their later hit-free "career".

Anyway, I for one welcome the news that Right Said Fred are to be the new hosts of Countdown. It's a bold and unorthodox move, but I feel that the viewership will soon be won over by their unthreateningly gay charms.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:16 pm

That doesn't start with A or J!