COUNTDOWN star Rachel Riley has been spotted fighting back giggles after a contestant spelled out a rude word on the letters board.
The pregnant TV presenter smirked as “hooters” was chosen as the points-scoring seven-letter word, which is an American slang term for a woman’s breasts.
Rachel, 35, placed nine letters on the board before the Countdown clock started ticking for contestants James and Adam – who looked to be struggling to find a word.
Once the time was up, both the contestants announced they had a seven-letter word – but one caught Rachel’s attention more than the other.
“Hooters,” James proudly announced as the word he had found as he smiled in the direction of host Nick Hewer, while Adam added: “Shooter”.
“Quite a few sevens,” word expert Susie Dent added, as Rachel placed the letters on the board to spell out the rude word, holding back a smile.
Standing next to the letters board, the presenter cradled her blossoming baby bump and looked away from the cameras to hide her face.
Host Nick swiftly moved on from the awkward moment, asking Rachel to place new letters on the board for the intense game to continue.
Countdown favourite Nick recently revealed he is leaving the show, with The Weakest Link’s Anne Robinson taking over from him later this year.
After ten years fronting the Channel 4 programme, the 76-year-old said he would not be returning this year after taking a break from the series while he shielded from coronavirus.
He paid tribute to his co-stars Rachel Riley and Susie Dent in an emotional post on Twitter where he wished good luck to the next host.
The veteran host has been replaced by Colin Murray on the show while he stayed at home during the pandemic but returned to the studio this week.
Nick tweeted today: “Delighted to be back in the Countdown studio after another enforced lockdown, BUT this latest lockdown has given me an opportunity to consider my future life.
“I’ve decided it’s a good time to step down at the end of my contract in the New Year.
“As someone in his 77th year, who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution that is Countdown, I think it’s time to smell the flowers and get a dog.
“But let me now take the opportunity to say that it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to take the helm of Countdown, first broadcast back in 1982 and still a Guinness record holder.
“Although I’ll be on your screens well into 2021, let me thank the broadcasters Channel 4, the truly dedicated and unwaveringly professional studio crew and production staff at ITV Studios who make the programmes, all 250 or so a year.
“My wonderfully talented co-hosts Susie Dent and Rachel Riley but above all, the quirky genius of producer Damian Eadie, who never ceases to amuse and who always demands the best of us.
“And a sincere thanks to our loyal viewers and of course the legions of contestants who battle their brains out for the chance of carrying off the Richard Whiteley Trophy or a priceless teapot.
“And so, to whoever takes my seat, I wish you every success and hope that you have as much fun and reward as I’ve enjoyed.”
Anne Robinson will be taking over from Nick next week, on June 28, 2021, as the all-female line-up comes together for the first time in the show’s history.
On her new all-female team, Anne told Channel 4: “Three Girls Do Countdown – who wouldn’t want to watch?”
Anne started out as a panellist on Question Time in the 1980s and presented TV review show Points Of View.
Then in 1993 she became the writer and presenter of consumer affairs show Watchdog, which remains popular to this day.
But in 2000 she became a household name when she began presenting tough quiz show The Weakest Link which was on TV for ten years.
Countdown airs every weekday at 2.10pm on Channel 4 and is available to stream on All4.
