Ha ha it takes you a second... or maybe I'm not awake, but these all tickled me. Even Jeff joined in with his silly Shakespeare jokes! It's going to be boring next week!

I agree, didnt like him from the start, he was so far up himself.

In common with a large number of successful Countdown contestants, he has Asperger's Syndrome. This may shed some light on some of his behavioural characteristics.

Rachel has been very good at the numbers this week. She still seems quite nervous though; we really need to start seeing some of her personality.

I really like Jeff as host but that's probably because I already liked him from Soccer Saturday. Still not too keen on Rachel but I guess it does go to show that no person is bigger than the show.

It's a pity from scanning through this thread very quickly that ratings seem to be going down.

That is possible, I agree

No one's posted this yet but Rachel made it to number 95 in this years 100 sexiest women poll which is pretty good going

For someone who has only been on TV a short time that is good Dave.

I can see why

Yeah me too though I also can see why people voted for the number one (Cheryl Cole)

Saying that I'd have voted for Keeley Hazell (number 5) if I'd have remembered (or been safe to vote without Vonie slapping me)

Coincidentally, according to this article, Richard Whiteley used to read out his jokes on Countdown as well!

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...un-527562.html

Thought Tim Vine was hilarious on Countdown.....first time I've laughed whilst watching the show I think (I don't watch it that often, maybe once a week, wish I'd watched it more this week now!).

And yes, totally agree.....the show in general is miles better with the new team. I can even tolerate Jeff Stelling and the way he resists trying not TO SHOUT in every episode

As for Rachel Riley.....what a lovely girl! She's a breath of fresh air compared to Vorderman.

I always knew it would work. Look at Philip and Fern... they did a super job for This Morning.

A friend of my aunt is a family friend, and he doesn't have any illness, he has always been a bit of a mummy's boy, so possibly not his own fault. But, I know someone with Aspergers, and they manage to rain it in a business meetings, so if it was the case he is still a plonker.

BTW, in one of the television angles this morning, his cheeks were wider than his ears !

no disrespect but Rachel is not happy, I can tell. It's just too young to be doing such a job, you need to be able to have a slightly sarcastic or silly sense of humor, if, for example a rude set of letters came up. Carol was slightly cheeky and it worked, but Rachel would probably get just embarrassed

Carol was 21 when she started on Countdown, Rachel is 22.

To be honest I had a quick look at that list and have never heard of most of them, including the winner.

Yep and Carol was completely different when she first started.

Jeff does enough talking anyway as he's good at it (that's his job) and the guest introductions Carol used to do were cringe making so I'm happy for the numbers girl not to do that any more.

Actually Rachel can and does make the odd off-the-cuff remark about the letters - the other week STD came up, and she winced and said "I don't want to touch that" which I thought was quite witty

I hate it when Gyles Brandreth is in Dictionary Corner, he always invades Susie's personal space. Today ( Monday) he was leaning so far towards her, shouting in her face, she was politely leaning away from him at an angle, but if he'd got any nearer Susie would've fallen out of her chair!

Susie is so sweet and nice, I always wonder what she thinks of the guests that 'assist' her. I bet she dies inside when she hears Gyles is coming to terrorise her. I would call in sick if it was me...
It's going to be a long week, I detest him!
Tim was a great guest last week.

That's right he was almost sitting on her chair and she was on the verge of falling off the other side. As you said he's always like this, the first thing we thought when we saw he was on was "poor Susie".

I am in the minority, but I like Gyles. He has such an affection and enthusiasm for the programme.

Minority of at least two, I like him as well.

Phew, thank goodness the coffee had finally worn off and Gyles was a little less exciteable today. Still leaning over far too much into Susie's personal space, with those starey eyes! Well Hamish seems one to watch; certainly romped through today - shame he didn't get any decent numbers games to get his teeth into.

I didn't like Rachel's dress today.

I much prefer Rachel than Carol anyday... Carol was too mouthy for my liking!!! I'm sure that when Carol started on Countdown she only did the numbers and someone else did the letters.. if I remember correctly! She was VERY FRUMPY too!!! She looks younger now than when she started on the show... (it has probably cost her thousands though)!!!