Anne Robinson, 80, sets record straight on feud with Countdown’s Rachel Riley after Channel 4 exit
Anne Robinson has finally addressed the rumoured feud with her former Countdown co-star Rachel Riley, admitting she told the maths whizz to “shut up” during filming.
The 80-year-old TV presenter, who quit the Channel 4 show after just one year in 2022, has played down speculation of a falling out between the pair.
In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Robinson dismissed the notion of a rift but revealed tensions did exist on set.
“It’s just a story. Rachel was a bit talkative when I was interviewing the contestants but once we shut her up it was fine,” Robinson said.
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The TV veteran reportedly found Riley’s chatting to contestants “hugely distracting” while trying to conduct interviews.
“Anyway, I’m always tolerated because if I’ve got to be on set at two minutes to nine, you’ll find me there at two minutes to nine. It’s allowed me to survive,” Robinson added.
Despite the tension, Robinson has previously acknowledged Riley’s talent, telling the Daily Mail: “I’m not saying I would go on holiday with Rachel Riley. Absolutely honestly, I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does.”
Robinson has previously admitted that she was annoyed by Riley and dictionary corner expert Susie Dent’s timekeeping and noisiness on set. As a result, the presenter insisted on having both co-stars’ microphones switched off during filming.
“It was me wanting everyone to be quiet in the studio. I like everyone turning up on time and quiet, quiet, quiet. So we did have to iron that out,” Robinson explained.
A source told the Daily Mail in 2021 that there was “tension” on the Countdown set between “young and old”.
“Rachel and Susie don’t care much for Anne and her rather grand ways and things have become pretty uncomfortable,” the insider claimed.
Riley has not remained silent on the matter, previously describing Robinson as “not the cuddliest” presenter.
After Robinson left the show, Riley suggested the atmosphere had improved, stating: “You’re not going to get a sympathetic shoulder to cry on from Anne, but she might make you cry.”
However, Riley later told ITV’s Lorraine that people should “not believe” tabloid reports of a feud.
Robinson revealed that her departure from Countdown after just one year was due to a pay dispute rather than the alleged feud.
Despite being offered a pay rise, she did not want to join Channel 4’s payroll and decided to walk away from her role as host.
She was subsequently replaced by Colin Murray on the long-running show.
Robinson has also previously cited the demanding schedule as a reason for leaving, telling Saga Magazine: “It was genuinely that it was exhausting and I wasn’t seeing my grandchildren.”
The presenter described the long journeys to Manchester, where Countdown is filmed, as particularly tiring.
In her Telegraph interview, Robinson also made controversial comments about “woke culture” in Britain.
“I loathe the woke terrorists who are sucking the life blood out of the country,” she stated bluntly.
The TV veteran claimed that if she were still in comedy, she would find ways around “woke restrictions”.
“Because if you’re funny – properly funny – you can get away with a great deal. Although there’s not a lot of funny, sharp women on TV anymore,” she added.