Must admit when he buzzed in the for 2nd conundrum I wasn't sure whether his reaction indicated joy that he was sure he'd got it, or anger that he'd buzzed too early and realised he'd got it wrong and the rest of the time would've then been available to Carl.

I wasn't able to watch it much after Richard died, I never felt comfortable with Des O'Connor or Des Lynham - I liked Jeff and Rachel - felt they had a good rapport.... now it's all change again

Well, blow me, [ not now Rachel dearie I'm speaking to the plebs ] a geeky scrabble nerd wins Countdown ?

The autistic savant Rainmen should be weeded out at the auditions for the next series, if they can't name a TV Soap Character or a Girls Aloud song they shouldn't be allowed to compete, normal people only, no scary women who smell of cat pee, no Crossword fetishists , no mature stoooodents, and NO bloody shoe-gazing dullard nerds.

Well it looks like the last winner before the finals will be carried over to the new series, fits most of that criteria.

I actually found him a bit arrogant and cocky, so was very glad that Graeme it pulled out with that final conundrum.

Thank god we're rid of Jeff perpetually sucking air through his teeth and his obsession with sport and soccer in particular. The new man has a very dry wit and was an excellent guest on Have I Got News For You last night.

That's the trouble, dry wit doesn't cut it on Countdown, the target audience prefer Whitelyesque weak puns and silly banter.

I predict Nick will last a year.

You may be right, and I doubt at his age he's planning to stay more than two anyway, but he could have a lot more to offer than we know of him so far. I'm sure the same target audience you refer to will be pleased to be rid of all the sports chat and I shall rejoice that all the tooth-sucking has stopped - I think it got worse as Jeff's demise approached.

I couldn't disagree more. Jeff has been the best ever Countdown host and it's so sad he's gone.

Maybe if the new guy doesn't work out then Jeff can come back. (I do wish the new chap well though I know nothing about him - I did see him on "Have I Got News For You" and wasn't that impressed but Countdown is different, certainly he can't be as bad as Des O'Connor who was by far the worst ever host.)

If it doesn't work out with the new bloke perhaps we should rename the thread to "Countdown so much worse these days".

he was so funny on Would I Lie to You? check out the 2 headed jumper with Rob Brydon on You tube.

I am a huge fan of Nick Hewer because I have always watched The Apprentice so I am prepared to allow Nick a few weeks in which to settle in and get used to hosting such a popular programme. We all know it often takes a while to settle down in a new job and if several programmes are filmed in one day, I think it might take two or three weeks for Nick to feel comfy.

I watched two recordings of Countdown with Nick at the weekend.

I'm expecting that his hosting will be controversial.

He wasn't slick, but it was only his second week of doing it and he's never done a job like this before, so that was hardly a surprise. Editing will obviously make the episodes flow much better when broadcast.

He has an idiosyncratic style which I think some viewers may take time to adapt to. Very different to all previous hosts.

I really like him. I hope everyone gives him a chance. He's hilarious.

Are these recordings in the public domain?

Jeff managed to settle in straight away though of course he has much more experience of presenting than Nick, he was ready made to present Countdown. Nick certainly deserves to be given time to settle in.

To be honest as long as he isn't obnoxious then I will continue watching, even if he is (I'm sure he won't be) I put up with the awful Des O'Connor for what seemed like decades because I liked playing the show.

20 minutes to go until Nick makes his first appearance. I look forward to seeing Margaret in Dictionary Corner soon.

Nick, you're fired!

He's already perving over Rita.

Oh dear. I'm falling asleep already.

Too soon for anecdotes Nick.

He's a bit stilted. Not a tv presenter is my initial impression

Stilted, annoying voice when you hear it as much as you do on this show, and he says "well done" or "good" far too much. Get some variety man!

I think he really suits the show! And it's nice to see a different side to him.

He'll need time to settle in. Give him a chance.

What's this all about?

And who's Paul Zenon?

Nice to see Rachel sober after the New Year's Eve Alan Carr programme.

First impressions not great. I preferred Stelling's approach personally, Hewer a lot more serious.

But the game is still as good as it ever was. Simple but fun.

Yeah I think he just need to relax into it a little and he'll be fine