Apprentice star to host Countdown

Lord Sugar's Apprentice sidekick to replace Stelling

Apprentice star Nick Hewer is to become the new host of Countdown when it returns to TV screens in 2012.

Nick, best known as Lord Alan Sugar's advisor on the Apprentice, will take over from Jeff Stelling at the end of the year to join numbers whizz Rachel Riley and words expert Susie Dent.

Hewer will take up the role when the Countdown team starts recording the new series at the end of the year and viewers can see him in the presenting chair from Monday 9 January 2012 onwards.

“I'm flattered to have been asked to present such an iconic programme and will work hard to justify sitting in the same seat as such great talents as Jeff Stelling, Des O'Connor and, of course, the great Richard Whiteley,” said Nick

“It's particularly fitting that I should be doing this now as my spelling has started to slip quite badly. I used to be able spell chrysanthemum,” he said.

Countdown is Channel 4's longest running series airs weekdays at 3.10pm.

Stelling, host of the iconic show since 2009, decided he wanted to concentrate on presenting football on Sky Sports. He had since changed his mind only to be told bosses were looking for someone new.

"Nick will be a fantastically charismatic host for Countdown. He is sharp and funny and has a real twinkle in his eye,” said Jay Hunt, Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer.

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