is among the stars to guest host as the legendary programme marks its 40th anniversary.
The quiz show is Channel 4’s longest-running series after first airing when the It’s a Sin broadcaster launched in November 1982.
To celebrate the huge milestone, four broadcasters will each take on a weeklong hosting stint alongside resident lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley.
Veteran journalist Sir Trevor will take the reigns of Countdown, first hosted by Richard Whiteley for 22 years until his death in 2005, from November 14 to 18 with mathematician and University Challenge star Bobby Seagull assisting Susie.
Other stars celebrating the programmes’s birthday edition are Baroness Floella, joined by judge Rob Rinder in dictionary corner, and celebrity vicar and Radio 4 presenter Reverend Richard Coles.
To close out the month of special programming, broadcaster Moira Stuart will host from November 21 to November 25 with actor Christopher Biggins stationed in dictionary corner.
Peter Gwyn, executive producer of Countdown for Lifted Entertainment, said: ‘It has been a sheer pleasure working with these iconic figures to celebrate Countdown’s anniversary.
‘This birthday means so much to all of us who love the programme, and we can’t wait for viewers to see our month-long series of very special shows.
It will be the second time the ITN news presenter has fronted the iconic show, after he presented a in September 2021.
The episode starred only Black presenters and competitors, with viewers hailing it as Countdown’s ‘best-ever episode.’
In a recent episode of words and numbers gameshow, Tom Stevenson for the highest-ever score in the series’ 40-year history, with a whopping total of 154.
It beat the previous record, which was set in May 2019 by Metropolitan University student Elliott Mellor, by two points.
Countdown airs on Channel 4 on weekdays at 2.10pm.
