Anne Robinson was criticized for her nanna-naps while filming Countdown.
Some crew members are unhappy with the fact that the presenter, aged 77 years old, sleeps in her dressing area at Media City in Salford between episodes. This prolongs filming.
It is clear that the row reveals the hostility between Rachel Riley’s supporters and Ms Robinson’s allies. Both sides came up with unpleasant nicknames for each other.
Ms Riley is said to be dubbed ‘Princess Nut Nut’ – the same demeaning name alleged to have been given to Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie by Downing Street opponents – whole some crew members are understood to refer to Ms Robinson as the ‘Wicked Witch’.
However, the famedly acid-tongued and thickly-skinned broadcaster might not mind that title.
WEAKEST TITLE? WEAKEST LINK?
A source said that amid the feud ‘there is another conundrum for the production team – Anne’s nanna naps. Staff who aren’t able to stay awake all day find it irritating that she sleeps during breaks.
“She’s a remarkable woman. It’s no secret, however, that she’s getting older.
The Mail on Sunday last month revealed that Ms. Riley (35), was getting annoyed at Ms. Robinson’s so-called ‘grand ways’.
In later reports, Ms. Robinson claimed her co-presenter had the microphone turned off after she complained that Ms. Riley was too loud in their banter before filming began.
WAR OF WORDS – Riley was dubbed “Princess Nut Nut”
While allies of each woman have briefed journalists off the record about a frosty atmosphere, Ms Robinson and Ms Riley have – at least in public – sought to downplay suggestions of a rift.
Ms Robinson has 2 grandchildren and recently stated that she was “astonished” at how she managed to do it each time. [Rachel] does that adding up and subtracting – just seconds, absolutely seconds, amazing.’
Ms Riley said in return that she joined Countdown 2012 and was not the most cuddly person on the planet, but that it is a new show, which she has made her own. She’s getting some stuff out of the contestants – sometimes it’s barbed, sometimes it’s funny, it’s just got a different flavour.’
Channel 4 did not respond to our request for comment.