Following the incomparable Richard Whiteley, there have been relatively short stints in the presenter's chair from Des Lynam, Des O'Connor and now Jeff Stelling. To attempt to counteract this, producers may want a better, longer-term bet and resist calls for a veteran - but what is certain in life or television? Advanced age shouldn't preclude potential presenters when the target audience for Countdown contains many of the same age or older!
To this end, I think Gordon Burns, to leave North West Tonight in September, would be a good candidate. As would 'Mr How 2' Fred Dinenage. Both presenters of long-standing who you couldn't imagine jumping ship!
Following the incomparable Richard Whiteley, there have been relatively short stints in the presenter's chair from Des Lynam, Des O'Connor and now Jeff Stelling. To attempt to counteract this, producers may want a better, longer-term bet and resist calls for a veteran - but what is certain in life or television? Advanced age shouldn't preclude potential presenters when the target audience for Countdown contains many of the same age or older!
To this end, I think Gordon Burns, to leave North West Tonight in September, would be a good candidate. As would 'Mr How 2' Fred Dinenage. Both presenters of long-standing who you couldn't imagine jumping ship!
But with them being older and in Gordon's case nearing retirement, they might quit fairly soon. The Countdown job wouldn't mean anywhere near as much to them as their respective regional news jobs. They're best going for someone aged roughly 40-55 who would stick around for 5-10 years.
Exactly - and so much comes down to luck. I never thought Phil Schofield for example would stick with This Morning for a decade, but now can't really invisage him leaving. Even Noel presenting a daytime show for six years didn't seem likely when Deal or No Deal began. Indeed he was in the frame for Countdown back then - wonder if he'd have remained with it as long.
And that puts a name in the frame for me - Les Dennis*. Well known to the older audience, but not quite picking up his pension. Also how about Andrew Castle - a regular guest and Countdown would supplement his BBC tennis work quite nicely.
* - He was originally slated to front Deal - that's why the name appeared in the frame for me.
Les Dennis just wouldn't work on that show, he just doesn't have right stature for it.
Gyles Brandreth would be good, has he done it since Carol left? I know he said he wouldn't, but he has been invovled in some street games of Countdown.
Surely they need to find someone based in the north west, or the north at least - I can't imagine the constant travelling has convinced any of the Whitely replacements to stick around.
Surely they need to find someone based in the north west, or the north at least - I can't imagine the constant travelling has convinced any of the Whitely replacements to stick around.
Surely they need to find someone based in the north west, or the north at least - I can't imagine the constant travelling has convinced any of the Whitely replacements to stick around.
They aren't really gaining much from keeping it up north, Channel 4 don't have a regional quota like the BBC and ITV do they? It needs a bit of consistency (old people hate change!) and moving it to London could help it achieve that, because as you say the travelling is probably an issue when looking for new presenters.
Surely they need to find someone based in the north west, or the north at least - I can't imagine the constant travelling has convinced any of the Whitely replacements to stick around.
Greg Scott it is then.
I'd wondered where Greggles had got to - it seem's he's back on the radio these days doing weekend breakfast on York's Minster FM.
It's been suggested above, I actually think Nick Owen (the one off Midlands Today) would be really good in that role he's the best person I've thought of but obviously he couldn't do that and stay on Midlands Today full time.
John Suchet would be good but probably a bit old and too southern based.
They aren't really gaining much from keeping it up north, Channel 4 don't have a regional quota like the BBC and ITV do they?
It's probably cheaper to make up North, but they'd benefit from better dictionary corner guests and a better talent pool to select the presenter, I guess.
