Anne Robinson was evicted by Rachel Riley after Rachel took a dig at Countdown contestant. There were also reports that there had been a bitter rift between the stars.
In a recent episode of the Channel 4 gameshow, Rachel, 35 – who is now on maternity leave following the birth of her second child – jumped to the defence of player Stu Harkness after he sold the maths equation.
Anne, 77 made a dig of Stu’s achievements in the pre-recorded episodes. Rachel, a maths whiz, quickly responded by congratulating Stu.
Awkward: Rachel Riley shut down Anne Robinson after the host made a swipe at a Countdown contestant, amid reports of a bitter ‘feud’ between the stars
Matty, Stu’s rival on the show, revealed that he had difficulty finding the answer to 401 among the six numbers.
But a smiley Stu said to Rachel: I’m gonna have a bash at 401.’
Rachel wrote down the formula and he was able to read it out.
But former Weakest Link host Anne jumped in, quipping: ‘Yeah but he’s a maths teacher, Rachel.’
Tense: In a recent episode of the Channel 4 gameshow, Rachel, 35 – who is now on maternity leave following the birth of her second child – jumped to the defence of player Stu Harkness after he sold the maths equation
At this, Rachel – who has a maths degree from Oxford – remarked: ‘Still, there’s a lot more pressure.’
Shutting down Anne’s jibe, she went on: ‘There’s a lot more to maths than just timing numbers together.’
Turning to the contestant, she added: ‘It’s a skill – well done, Stu.’
The awkward moment comes as it’s been reported new host Anne is at loggerheads with maths whizz Rachel and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, with an uncomfortable atmosphere’ erupting since she took on the role.
Defence: As Anne, 77, made a dig at Stu’s achievement in the pre-recorded episode, maths whizz Rachel was quick to counteract Anne’s remarks by congratulating Stu
Good job: As he read out his equation and Rachel wrote out the formula, she said to him: ‘Yeah, you knew you had it’
Last week, 14 days after Rachel’s birth, Anne spoke on Lorraine.
“She is getting stuff from the contestants, and sometimes it’s hilarious, other times it’s barbeque, or both. It just has a new flavour.”
Last month Anne reportedly turned off Rachel’s microphone on set after becoming irritated by the host’s small talk.
According to The Sun, Anne became fed up of listening to Rachel chatting to contestants ahead of going on air, turning up at the last minute and being on her phone too much.
Jibe: But former Weakest Link host Anne jumped in, quipping: ‘Yeah but he’s a maths teacher, Rachel’
Shut down: At this, Rachel – who has a maths degree from Oxford – remarked: ‘Still, there’s a lot more pressure. She went on: ‘There’s a lot more to maths than just timing numbers together’
Rachel later reportedly stated to crew that she didn’t like being silenced in the aftermath of the incident.
The publication received this statement from a source: “It is safe to say that they are not in love.” Anne is well-known for her dislike of noise, and her inability to keep time. She will tolerate none.
Anne also suffers from tinnitus. She cannot tolerate excessive noise. Rachel is loud with her huge heels and big personality. Anne was annoyed that Rachel would chat to the contestants in between shows.
“She didn’t feel capable of doing her job well, and she felt that it was impossible to bond with contestants in order to make them relax before the cameras began rolling.
Shock: Anne Dent L.R., Anne Robinson and Rachel Riley have reported that Anne, 77 is now at odds with Rachel, 35 (maths wizard) and Susie Dent (56) with an “uncomfortable atmosphere” erupting ever since she assumed the host role.
“The tension was palpable.” Anne found the entire thing funny.
According to reports, Rachel threatened Rachel with quitting Countdown if Anne wasn’t disciplined for muting the microphone.
Channel 4 representatives and Anne Rachel were also contacted to provide comments at that time.
Fans are expressing dismay at the reported feud behind-the scenes between three of the leading ladies from Countdown.
Breaking silence: Speaking on the Lorraine last week just 14 days after giving birth Rachel of her co-star: ‘Anne’s not the cuddliest person in the world
Opinion: ‘She’s getting some stuff out of the contestants – sometimes it’s barbed, sometimes it’s funny, it’s just got a different flavour’
Susie Dent (56), Dictionary Corner star, has been reported to have supported Rachel during this spat.
Salford’s Media City studios claim that Anne has a strained relationship with staff off camera. This tension is attributed to Anne’s alleged ‘rather grand’ ways which earned her the nickname “Queen Anne.”
Anne was also praised by colleagues for her June show. They claim that Anne brings her own style and make-up artist with her to the studios.
Susie Atkins is an Oxford graduate and recently separated from Paul Atkins. She was close friends of Rachel Atkins who also went to Oxford.
Drama: It was reported that Rachel threatened to quit Countdown unless Anne was disciplined for muting her microphone