COUNTDOWN’s Anne Robinson has announced she has quit the show after just one year.
During her short stint on the show, Anne, 77, clashed with co-star Rachel Riley, 36, over dressing rooms, make-up artists and wardrobe budgets backstage.
The Celeb Report previously told how Anne is said to have has left maths whizz Rachel frustrated with her diva demands since stepping into former host Nick Hewer’s shoes in June of last year.
Anne, the show’s first female host, first ruffled feathers by insisting on her own make-up artist and stylist.
Rachel and Susie Dent, share a make-up artist.
Anne is also understood to have had a budget for clothes, and had a considerably larger dressing room, say insiders.
Read More on Countdown
Rachel, a show favourite since joining in 2009 with then-host Jeff Stelling, has done little to disguise her apparent dislike of Anne.
An on-set source added: “They film five episodes a day so it’s pretty full-on.
“When they meet there is very little small talk.
“Anne was overheard saying ‘Hello’ and asking how Rachel’s day was going.
“Basically, if looks could kill then Anne would be six feet under. Everyone was laughing.
“Anne is a stickler for time-keeping, and doesn’t like seeing the younger crew members, including Rachel, on their phones, on Twitter, constantly. Basically the two women are worlds apart.
“Anne actually thinks Rachel is incredibly quick-witted, and hugely talented, but the trouble is they’re both Alpha females and, alas, only one can be top dog.
“Unfortunately for Rachel, Anne’s something of a rottweiler to Rachel’s sweet, no-longer-yapping chihuahua.”
The pair’s feud, dubbed ‘toxic’ by some fans, has seen ratings rocket — to the delight of Channel 4 bosses.
Rachel recently admitted she had struggled to bond with feisty Anne.
She said she got to know former host Nick Hewer well, adding of Anne: “She’s a completely different character.”
Speaking about her exit last night, Anne, who recorded 265 episodes of the show, said: “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.”
She added: “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.
Read More on The Celeb Report
“In fact the genius of Countdown is that it’s a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week.
“And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.
“But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention.”
