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Countdown adds up more viewers
Bo Wilson22 Jan 2009
THOUSANDS more viewers have tuned into Countdown with its new presenters.
Ratings have soared by 11 per cent since host Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley took over from Des O'Connor and Carol Vorderman.
Their opening show 10 days ago attracted an audience of 1.3 million and viewer numbers have averaged 1.1 million. A spokesman for Channel 4 said: "We are delighted. Jeff and Rachel make a fantastic team."
Riley, 23, has got into her stride on the programme, having appeared nervous in her first episode. Vorderman, 48, left over a pay row after 26 years on the show.
Reader views (5)
12m with new team and time to take stock. Jeff has fitted in well and appears very relaxed. But Rachel must be the signing of the century. It now proves possible to possess both brains and beauty - besides being almost impossibly gorgeous,she has shed her initial nerves and is brilliant at the number games,throwing her predecessor (er,I haven't got it but i'm sure it's possible) into sharp relief. Whoever was responsible for giving Rachel the job can take a deserved bow. I honestly can't remember the last time a complete newcomer to TV made such a devastating impact. Besides her looks and intelligence,Rachel manages to come across as unspoiled,charming,friendly and humorous as well as being very sexy in a most tasteful way. You get the strong impression that she would be just as warm and down-to-earth if you met her personally. I would say to anybody who doesn't think Rachel is a magnificent swap for Vorderman to simply run last week's edition of BBC's Question Time - I think that will remove any lingering doubt!
- Ian Thomas, manchester u.k., 12/03/2010 16:43
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Accept that change of presenters was inevitable and getting used to new set but miss seeing words put up on board especially when unable to hear them when spoken. Often Susie isn't referred to for alternative words. Please don't change everything!
- B. Rodger, Fife, Scotland, 28/01/2009 16:44
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I also noticed the odd letter distrubution, especially the vowels .Yesterday the letter E came up three times in one selection. Not the first time it happened.As a night worker I look forward to Countdown, but can't yet get a "feel" for it in it's new format.
- Patrick Thompson, Dublin, 22/01/2009 15:07
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The viewing figures were probably higher because we viewers had been starved of Countdown for too long. Rachel is lovely to look at but the numbers haven't required much expertise up to date. Jeff Stelling seems to feel the need to fill any space by talking and commenting, it is rather irritating. Countdown is not a race. A final comment, something odd has been going on with the letter distribution. There have been occasions with multiples of the same letter which has held scores down. Whatever, it is great to have Countdown back again.
- K W Ilkinson, London UK, 22/01/2009 13:00
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Might this be because there are now several hundred thousand more people on the dole since the new presenters took over?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 22/01/2009 12:28
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