Alexander Armstrong pulls out of Countdown job
Friday, October 31st, 2008
Producers at Channel 4 may be coming up with some four-letter words of their own, as Alexander Armstrong pulled out of a deal to host Countdown at the 11th hour. Last month the comedian, better known for his part in The Armstrong and Miller Show, was offered a contract to become the fourth presenter in the popular quiz show’s 26-year history. He had previously said that would like to follow in the footsteps of previous hosts Des O’Connor, Des Lynam and the late Richard Whiteley.
But Armstrong reportedly withdrew days after looking embarrassed when ribbed about his prospective Countdown role on BBC1’s Have I Got News For You last Friday.
Armstrong will be the third person to turn down the Countdown job, after impressionist Rory Bremner and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling. His sudden withdrawal leaves Channel 4 just two months to find a suitable replacement before filming of the new series begins in the new year.
A source at Channel 4 said “It is a race against time to get someone because the series begins filming in January. We were desperate for Alexander to do it.” The Channel has said that it is currently talking to a number of people about the presenter role, but that as yet “no decision has been made”.
It was believed last week that Armstrong had already agreed to a contract verbally, and was in the process of signing a written contract to become the host of the popular daytime quiz show. In fact, Channel 4 was so confidence that a pact would be sealed they had planned a celebratory dinner to take place last week, according to the Daily Mirror.
Countdown bosses are also searching for a replacement for maths ace Carol Vorderman. Vorderman quit after 26 years on the show, claiming she was told to take a 90 per cent pay cut or leave. Previous reports put her salary between £900,000 and £1m a year.
Richard Whiteley was the original host of countdown. After his death in 2005, Des Lynam took the role, and was succeeded by Des O’Connor after just one year on the show.
