Anyone know what the story is with Greggles being on - did he apply, was he invited, is it anything to do with Jeff going? Just happened to turn it on and see him on it - thought at first it was either a celebrity edition or some sort of joke, but it seemed to be serious - was there any explanation at the start, as I missed it? Or is this what the poor soul is reduced to to get on tv now?

I'm hoping that he was there being interviewed for the presenting job and a contestant either fell ill or couldn't make it and he stepped in. I can't imagine he would have applied to be on the show.

Can you have two Margaritas - or would they be Margaritae?

(Yes I know that would be ten letters - I meant in general not as a Countdown word)

It's what I'm reduced to to get on TV now - Truth! Can't do it any other way - Nobody loves me

I asked the team if I could go on as I was a "fair" player... They did a little test of my ability, then ran it past Channel 4.

4 agreed that I could have a crack - The game was for real - I tried my best - But when I heard I was going to be pitched against a lecturer of mathematics, there was only ever going to be one outcome.

It wasn't an audition of any sort - For me, it was nice to catch up with members of the team who were still there since I left in 2003... And it was just nice to be on terrestrial television again - For probably the last time.

Sigh.

Damn. I was gonna put some money on you being the next presenter as well.

Well I love you, pet and so do zillions of others. Can't understand why you're not a megastar - do you not have the right handshake or something?

Please Greg, don't give up on the dream of reappearing on television. I know that it can be a struggle to get established somewhere but it would be a real shame to lose someone like you from our screens altogether when there are so many morons in high profile presenting jobs. Get your CV in to some indie producers and see if you can pick up some additional industry contacts. You never know!

Or you could take a hint from Countdown, take a degree course in something scientific and do a Prof Brian Cox...

A while back I knew someone who once worked as a presenter for two significant local radio stations (one BBC, one commercial), but he no longer works in the media industry because he found it impossible to get another presenting job (worse with radio due to the shrinking number of opportunities & number of companies that own radio stations); if you fall out of favour with one major radio group for any reason whatsoever then that effectively blocks your career chances with a whole string of radio stations.

Thankfully television is still a bit better in this respect but even so we need to convince the BBC in particular to rely less on a tiny pool of presenters and give us a bit more variety on our screens. It won't hurt, promise

For fans of the lovely Rachel... she is looking gorgeous at the moment on 8 out of 10 Cats... nice eye make-up too!!!

When is it back? The last time it was on I was visiting my father in hospital after his heart attack so missed it all week. This is the third week without it.

She's back!

And, unsurprisingly, looking fantastic.

They should never let Countdown be off the air. Ever.

Love the Irish contestant almost as much as Rachel but unfortunately she's gone and lost so won't be seeing her again

Enjoyed the return of the Rachel Riley show today. Just wish they'd ditch that whole quiz thing that seems to take up a lot of the show. It's very distracting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgc3...eature=sh_e_se

Did anyone else notice that the words in the first part of today's Countdown were all on yesterday's show ?
First up was "relation", followed by (not sure in which order), "atomised" - the selection of letters again included a spare "z" as it did yesterday so the alternative spelling "atomized" was again possible.
Then there was a selection which almost included the word "brusque" as per yesterday except that today there was only one "u".
I think someone forgot to shuffle the letters - until the first ad break

Rachel in shorts and off the shoulder, and a new hairdo,

Yes, there was something in each of the first four letter-rounds on Wednesday's show:

Round 1: The selection was AEIKLNORT (RELATION + K) exactly the same as the 8th letter-round on Tuesday.

Round 2: The selection was ADEIMOSTZ (ATOMISED + Z) exactly the same as the 4th round on Tuesday.

Round 3: The selection was ABEIQRSUW (BRUSQUE + AIW). The same as the 3rd round on Tuesday except that had a second S instead of A.

Round 4: The selection was ADEILOPSS. The same as the 2nd round on Tuesday except that had N instead of the second S

have they decided who is taking over yet?

Looked hot today in that blue dress

I got a 9 letter word (idolisers) today, as did the contestant called Dave who seemed very pleased with himself for doing so. I do not often find the 9 letter words, Dictionary Corner usually find some interesting ones.

We noticed this too. Too much of a coincidence, the letters couldn't have been shuffled....but why were they the letters from rounds 2, 3 , 4 and EIGHT the previous day? What a mystery.

It seems Jeff had second thoughts about quitting but C4 have decided to replace him.

< It's final Countdown for presenter Jeff Stelling >

How was the trick with the lemons done? Obviously the £10 note on the desk was swapped with the original but how did the original end up in the lemon?

4 or 5 rounds with I N G in the yesterday's show , most unusual.

Never mind how the tenner got in the lemon, how did Rachel squeeze her ample derriere and bosoms into that dress ?

I still have had no reply from C4 re my application to volunteer to zip up Rachel into her outfit before each episode.

I mean, you try to be helpful, and all you get is rejection.

Be very careful young man, Rachel is mine. We are planning to elope, as she says she would rather be with me than her mega-rich boyfriend. The high life and fame she is willing to eschew for the frugal, but loving, attention I will give her. She says she is looking forward to a life with me, and old age creeping up on her.

If you persist in lusting after her, I will be compelled to ask that you choose your weapon.

I kept my eye on the lemons for the whole show!