Channel 4 has reported a rise in ratings following the appointment of ex-Oriel student Rachel Riley as Countdown’s new assistant presenter.
Riley joined Countdown on 17th January, as assistant to new host Jeff Stelling, of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday. Riley’s good looks are thought to have contributed to the rise in the show’s viewing figures by around 10,000 per episode, despite an early blunder writing a minus sign instead of a plus.
The Oxford graduate was chosen from more than 1000 applicants to replace maths whiz and long-time presenter, Carol Vorderman, after a pay-deal dispute triggered Vorderman’s resignation.
