On Monday, it was confirmed that Anne Robinson will be the first female presenter of Countdown after being named as Nick Hewer’s replacement.
And Rachel Riley was seen departing the Channel 4 show’s studio in Manchester on Tuesday with her husband Pasha Kovalev and their daughter Maven, following the announcement.
The blonde beauty, 35, cut a casual figure in black skinny jeans and a pink jumper as she carried her 14-month-old daughter and headed to Booths supermarket.
Family: Rachel Riley was seen departing the Countdown studio in Manchester on Tuesday with husband Pasha Kovalev and daughter Maven, after Anne Robinson was announced as the show’s new presenter
Rachel’s top featured the word ‘love’ emblazoned across the front three times, and she made sure to wrap up warm with a black longline coat and burgundy beanie.
Her daughter looked adorable in a textured cream jacket and leopard print hat, compete with duel bobbles.
Meanwhile her partner Pasha, 41, sported a thick coat and slim-fitted trousers as he exited the venue and pushed their little one’s scooter.
Current Countdown presenter, Nick, 76, dressed smart in a suit and mint green tie as he exited the filming location.
Finished work: The blonde beauty, 35, cut a casual figure in black skinny jeans and a pink jumper as she headed with her 14-month-old daughter towards Booths supermarket
Valentine’s Day mood: Rachel’s top featured the word ‘love’ emblazoned across the front three times, and she made sure to wrap up warm with a black longline coat and burgundy beanie
He wrapped a scarf around his neck and carried multiple suitcases as he strolled through the city.
It comes after Anne, 76, best known for her former role on The Weakest Link, confirmed she will take over from Nick later this year.
Confirmation of her appointment was made on Monday morning’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch, where her name formed a Countdown inspired conundrum.
Speaking live on the show, Anne told host Steph McGovern she’s excited to be joining Rachel and Susie Dent, saying: ‘I’m very excited, I want to rename it “Three Clever Girls Do Countdown.”‘
So sweet: Her daughter looked adorable in a textured cream jacket and leopard print hat, compete with duel bobbles
Staying active: Meanwhile her partner Pasha, 41, sported a thick coat and slim-fitted trousers as he exited the venue and pushed their little one’s scooter
Asked if she’s a fan of conundrums, she added: ‘I love anagrams. I do The Times crossword every day. I’m not very good at adding up or subtracting…
‘I’ll tell you what’s great about this show, it’s very clever contestants who have to work at speed. I think that’s what’s most impressive, they do it within 30 seconds.’
Steph also asked what her approach will be on Countdown, given her former reputation as the “queen of mean”.
She replied: ‘I’ve had my family here, two grandsons, daughter and son-in-law. It seems like a year they’ve been here doing home-screaming, as I call it, and I really have been practising to be nice… not always successfully. But I am going to tone down my nastiness… sort of!’
Smart style: Current Countdown presenter, Nick Hewer, 76, dressed smart in a suit and mint green tie as he exited the filming location
Homeward bound: He wrapped a scarf around his neck and carried multiple suitcases as he strolled through the city
Replacement: It comes after Anne, 76, best known for her former role on The Weakest Link, confirmed she will take over from Nick later this year
Anne also told Steph she’s slightly scared of Susie and Rachel’s brains, adding: ‘The three of us will transform things, it will be Countdown goes chic, won’t it?!’
And she sent a message to viewers, saying: ‘Keep watching and please can we have some female contestants?’
Steph asked how she feels about returning to TV, with Anne saying: ‘I feel more at home on the telly than I do anywhere else. I’m delighted.
‘I did slightly hope, with diversity, I might take over from Gary Lineker on Match of the Day but then the Countdown request came and it’s much better.’
New appointment: Confirmation of her appointment on the Channel 4 staple was made on Monday morning’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch
Anne also confirmed she’ll be on screen later this year, telling viewers: ‘You’ll start seeing us three clever girls early summer.’
The presenter became a familiar presence on TV screens after fronting BBC show’s What The Papers Say, Watchdog and Points Of View during the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s.
But it was her straight-talking approach and popular catchphrase on The Weakest Link that helped turn her into a household name.
Running from 2000 to 2012, the hugely successful show was syndicated across the world and became renowned for Anne’s famous sign-off – ‘You are the Weakest Link, goodbye.’
Old times: Anne became a familiar presence on TV screens after fronting BBC show’s What The Papers Say, Watchdog and Points Of View (pictured hosting What The Papers Say in 1982)
Success: But it was her straight-talking approach and popular catchphrase on The Weakest Link that helped turn her into a household name