COUNTDOWN bosses are desperate for Carol Vorderman to return as host.
The 62-year-old, who co hosted the show for 26 years, is the top choice to replace Anne Robinson.
A TV insider revealed: “Carol is such a big part of Countdown and Channel 4 know how much everyone loves her.
“Bosses would love her to come back as the main host, her Countdown journey would come full circle. It would be perfect.”
A source close to the star said: “Countdown has always held a special place in Carol’s heart. And she continues to be a big fan of the show, nearly 40 years on.
“It’s lovely to see that she’s had such great support from fans of the show online.”
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Fans have started campaigning to get the maths whizz back on the show.
Responding to the calls to see her take the helm, Carol said “it would be an honour”.
Carol appeared on Countdown from 1982 to 2008 alongside Richard Whiteley, up until his death in 2005.
She was said to be the highest paid woman in telly at the time, cashing in £1 million a year.
Carol previously told how her late mum had landed her the job, saying: “She wrote my application letter to Countdown and forged my signature and then told me what she had done.”
She was replaced by Rachel Riley who has struggled to get along with the most recent host.
Anne announced her exit earlier this week saying: “I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful show. And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.
“I hope too I’ve encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.”
Channel 4 have said the replacement will be named in due course.
