Posted July 26, 2008 Presenter Carol Vorderman has announced she is to step down from presenting the Channel 4 game show Countdown. The 47-year-old has worked on the word and maths show since it began in 1982, initially alongside Richard Whiteley. When Whiteley died in 2005, she continued to co-present with Des Lynam, who was later replaced by Des O'Connor. He is also quitting the programme. Vorderman's manager said she was extremely sad to be leaving a show that had been a huge part of her life. Countdown was the first programme seen on Channel 4. The network's director of television Kevin Lygo said he was "extremely sorry to see Carol leave". "She was the first woman on Channel 4 and has made an enormous contribution to the success of Countdown over the last 25 years," he said. "We hope to work with her again on other projects." Nearly 5,000 episodes of the quiz show - a mixture of word games and mathematical problems - have been filmed. 'End of an era' With a high IQ as well as degrees in engineering, Vorderman was seen as a natural to calculate complicated mathematical problems on the programme. In a statement, Vorderman's manager John Miles said she considered quitting the show when Whiteley died but eventually agreed to continue. He said: "Countdown has been such a huge part of her life for so long. "Carol wants to thank all of the crew, the thousands of contestants who have played the game and the millions of Countdown viewers, for whom she has the greatest respect. "She is extremely sad." Another Countdown regular, lexicographer Susie Dent, said the news was "devastating" for the show. "It's the end of an era for Countdown, and it's the end of an era for me - Carol has been my colleague, my mentor, and my friend for over 15 years," she added. "She and Richard together made one of the strongest and enduring shows television has ever seen, and also built one of the closest teams." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 No fucking way! She's my celebrity crush. My embarrassing celebrity crush. But, my god, just look at her. I'd like to fiddle with her vowels! I love Countdown. Its going to go downhill from here, as it already did when the great Whiteley died. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Oh, what would we do without Dante/Latest Headlines on Firefox? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 OH NOES! I really like countdown! My afternoon's (when I sometimes watch it with mum) won't be the same without Carol. :p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I watch it with my Mum as well, when I can. Oh, C-Bear, what are we going to do?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Oh, what would we do without Dante/Latest Headlines on Firefox? Eh thanks James. I watch it with my Mum as well, when I can. Oh, C-Bear, what are we going to do?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I watch it with my Mum as well, when I can. Oh, C-Bear, what are we going to do?! I don't know Flinky... I JUST DON'T KNOW! Right now I feel like my world has imploded in on me... hold me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 *holds you* Dante, that gif just about sums this up. My late afternoon eye-candy...down the toilet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Eh thanks James. Good post. Pretty much how I feel right now. *holds you* Dante, that gif just about sums this up. My late afternoon eye-candy...down the toilet. *sniffs* Thanks man. *holds him tight* Her colourful (an sometimes odd) dresses really brightened up my day! :awesome: This Bear would like to say for one last time... "Another consonant please Carol" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 "im sorry guys :(" Holy Fuck. I'll be back in five minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Holy Fuck. I'll be back in five minutes. She getting ready for you Fierce. :p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 *holds you* Dude, get off me! What was that for? I'll be back in five minutes. Going to find someone your own age? I don't count. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Dude, get off me! What was that for? Going to find someone your own age? I don't count. I really don't have anything funny to say as a comeback. I'm in utter shock. Dante: Have some mercy, please. There's only so much a man can take. Two of my greatest loves: Carol Vodaphone, and Stockings, together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I really don't have anything funny to say as a comeback. I'm in utter shock. So am I. Did someone hack my account briefly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 For 47, shes got a great rack... Has to be said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I've never heard of her. But for a 47 year-old, she looks damn yummy. Ugh, makes me feel weird. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 It was destined to happen ever since Richard died. The new guy just wasn't the same. Random Fact: My uncle was at university with her Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Shocking.... but as Chardriver said it was inevitable. It just hasn't been the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Oh, what would we do without Dante/Latest Headlines on Firefox? Give him an RSS feed? Oh wait, nevermind. I cant believe she quit, she's fucking awesome, only reason I watch it mainly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I'm not bothered that Des is going. His speech mainly consisted of "And here's that clock" when I'm sure the other presenters did much better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 I was just thinking like.. a week ago, how it was weird she'd been on it for so long. Thought the old coot would of moved off. Maybe I made it happen?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 "im sorry guys :(" Seriously, eww. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 Hard to believe she has been on Countdown for 26 years. Would of thought by now she would of left a while ago, and surprised she stayed after Whitley's untimely death back in 2005. She'll be missed and Countdown won't be the same again i don't think, that is if it continues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 26, 2008 dante!! can i ask you a flavour? its awesome that you post news and stuff but i dont care about that ~ i(and i'm sure a lot of other people)'d like to also hear YOUR opinion on all this news you post. that'd be cool, y'know. good for carol ~ she can branch out with her career. into more porn, probably. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
