I agree Giles Brandreth's personality would maybe come across too strong and he wouldn't be a good presenter. We need someone who is genuinely funny (none of the corny forced humour that Jeff seems to favour), someone who has a gentle presenting style but is highly entertaining with it. He should have an intelligence appropriate to the game (I love it when Jeff gets the numbers game and the contestants don't), but most importantly, it should be a presenter who is willing to do the job for a long time. We have had too many short term presenters.

Giles Brandreth is actually a decent TV presenter IMO, I remember seeing clips of a cheapo 80s talent show-style thing on Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe a few years back and even on a low-rent vehicle like that, he was adept and affable.

So something rather more "intellectual" (though still cheaply-made!) like Countdown would suit him even better, and I always enjoyed his banter in Dictionary Corner. I can't stand the man's politics and I think his past as an MP will always be somewhat of a cloud over his media career, but then again, there's probably a fair few more TV/media folk I like who are Tories, but cos they've never been in Parliament or discuss their political leanings in public, we'd never ever know.

I'd be happy to see Brandreth take over from Stelling. He'd be so much better than the abysmal Des O'Conner, and Des Lynam, whom I always liked as a sports anchor but who just seemed an awkward fit for Countdown. And on the basis of what bits of the programme I've seen this week, and I can't believe I'm saying this as I used to detest the guy, but another half-decent shout for Jeff's replacment could be Mark Durden-Smith.

Take a look at Brandreth's appearances on QI - the guy is a camera-hogging bore.

I've not seen a lot of him on QI, actually. I'd say that's another show that would suit Gyle's style of presenting (not that anyone expects Stephen Fry to leave any time soon).

Brandreth can't be more obnoxious than Jeremy effing Clarkson, can he? I was reading Amanda Platell's column in my grandmother's Daily Mail yesterday, and she actually called Clarkson a "national treasure". I felt billious.

While Clarkson can be an arse, I find him more entertaining and less annoying than Brandreth.

Another thing in Clarkson's favour is that some years ago he punched Piers Morgan, so that's a real plus point.

Haha, so he did! I can't stand Clarkson, but even I'd give him a pat on the back for that

I can't belive you're saying this either cos I can't stand him either. He's been the dullest DC guest in a long time. Alexander Armstrong was an interesting choice when they were looking for a replacement for Des O'C. He turned it down. Wonder how he feels about it now? He would be ok as long as he didn't invite the "Epic Wiiiiiiin!" guy to do a guest spot!

I didn't realise it was still on. It started 29 years ago yesterday. Time it got the chop surely?

OMG NOOOO!

Why would you give a show that has been successful for nearly 30 years the chop? Makes no sense! If nobody watched it then I would understand, but it has a steadily growing fanbase - dare I say mainly due to Ms Vorderman's replacement!

Here's to the next 30!

Not much wrong with those babies from where I'm standing!

I hope Armstrong wouldn't go to Countdown as that would almost inevitably mean he'd leave Pointless, and the partnership on that show between Alexander and Richard is wonderful.

Why can't he do both? Countdown only films three days a week. Surely he can still do pointless.

According to Rachel Riley's Twitter, this week they'll be recording Jeff's final episodes.

But still no word on his replacement.

my favorite guest in dictionary coner is Paul Zenon. Dave Spikey is good also.

Both of those would present it well.

I thought Mark Durden My Mum is Judith Chalmers was very poor.

In an ideal world, who would you like to appear in Dictionary Corner. It must be someone who has never been on yet.

Freddie Starr.

Roger Mellie.

It's weird watching Ken Bruce on the TV. I'm so used to hearing his excellent radio voice but its rare actually being able to see him speak! It doesn't feel right!

He's got an ideal face for radio.

Jesus. Think the challenger today is dyslexic! On the plus side Queen Rachel looking knockertastic today!

Knockertastic! Brilliant! That's my new word of the day!

Does anyone else think the champ deliberately failed the last numbers round in order to allow the challenger to bump up his score knowing that he couldn't be beaten? The target of 180 was very easy.

That would be very foolish if he did, because to get through to the finals you have to be in the top 8 players of the series, based firstly on number of wins, and if they are tied on points scored. Those 10 points thrown away could be the difference between qualifying or not qualifying.

I agree. But I really felt that he could have got that numbers game. Maybe he's not bothered about reaching the finals. Maybe all he wanted was a teapot which he now has!

I've thought this has happened on several occasions over the years I've watched. It seems to happen most frequently when the winner has an unassailable lead, and the loser has an embarrassingly low score. Despite general perceptions, maybe there is more empathy within us than we care to admit!