Sum-things up at Countdown
New girl's having trouble matching Carol's maths
IT'S a real conundrum - because the blonde who replaced Carol Vorderman on Countdown is having sum difficulty with her maths, we can reveal.
The show's new addition Rachel Riley, 22, has been struggling to EQUAL brainbox Carol when it comes to getting answers right at speed during filming of the hit Channel 4 quiz.
A TV source told the News of the World the £100,000-a-year Oxford graduate is not as hot as Carol was at quickly solving the complicated maths puzzles that bamboozle contestants.
And that will further multiply anger among the show's fans who were furious at the way their favourite was forced out by TV bosses after 26 years.
"The first three weeks of filming did not go that smoothly for Rachel," said the source. "It's clear she hasn't managed to match Carol's skills yet.
"If the contestants couldn't solve a problem Carol would quickly do it for them. But during the filming for her first 15 episodes the new girl made some mistakes."
Intimidating
Audience members also claim pretty Rachel, from Southend, Essex, failed to solve "five or six" numbers games in time in a day's filming earlier this month.
One said: "It was obvious she was doing her best but she was off target a few times when I was watching.
"It was a little embarrassing but I'm sure she will find her feet. It can be very intimidating standing in front of a studio audience."
Contestants have 30 seconds to combine six numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to get as close to a randomly chosen three-digit figure as possible.
Part of the cult show's appeal is the ability of the presenter to calculate the answer to the numbers game within seconds when contestants don't get close.
Although not every single puzzle can be answered exactly, Carol prided herself on the speed with which she could work through the figures, and rarely got it wrong.
But if Rachel is finding it tough, it will only serve to fuel belief among fans that the show minus Carol, 48, will not be as good. There was uproar when the she was dumped along with host Des O'Connor after being asked to accept a 90 per cent pay cut or quit.
Rachel was picked to replace her after a nationwide X Factor-style audition of 1,000 maths prodigies, while Des, 76, has been replaced by Sky Sport host Jeff Stelling, 53.
The pair will first be seen by viewers when the next series of the show starts on January 12.
Show insiders blamed any gaffes on teething problems bedding in a new presenting team and the nerves that come from stepping out in front of the cameras for the first time.
High
The 15 pre-recorded shows filmed so far have involved previous champions coming back-which means the standards have been particularly high and she will only be called upon to solve the most tricky sums.
But insiders have robustly defended Rachel's record and claim producers have been "blown away" by their new signing's ability.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We have pre-recorded a small number of episodes so far. "Things have been going very well and Rachel and Jeff make a very good team."
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This article has 69 comments
just reading some of the comments about carol,she definately didnt solve the sums by herself.if you watched her closely you could se he holding her left ear where her earphone was listening to the answers coming through from elsewhere.Rachel is miles better than carol and jeff is even better than his previous hosts.
By williamally2608. Posted October 1 2009 at 1:46 AM.
Now that we know that someone backstage helps out with the words it is quite obvious that there is also someone who helps Rachel out with the numbers game. It is also quite extraordinary just how easy the numbers game has become - does this imply that Rachel is just not up to the job?
By jaycee. Posted September 5 2009 at 6:52 PM.
The thing I like about Rachel is that in today's world it is unusual to hear a young person actually enjoying family life, and obviously does not think that all elderly people are beyond approval. She speaks so well of her parents and brother. She has obviously worked very hard, and altogether I think she is an excellent role-model for the young. Thank you Rachel.
By Audrey Disney. Posted September 4 2009 at 4:54 PM.
The outfits are like something from the 80s and she doesn't join in when people are having conversations. Good Luck In your future endevours but get off countdown.
By Chloe. Posted August 27 2009 at 3:46 PM.
I love Countdown and was particularly impressed with Carol Vordermann's skill but now that Rachel Riley has overcome her initial shyness and nervousness she has truly blossomed into the TOP BABE of TV
I love her sometimes quirky , but always sexy, fashion sense and as far as looks, figure , and personality go she outshines Carol in every respect and what's more she has a much more pleasant sense of humour.---(good riddance to that raucous laugh of C.V.)
Now that she is fully into her stride I think she performs as least as well as Carol did in the numbers games and long may she continue.
Rachel Riley forever!!
By geordiealan. Posted July 28 2009 at 2:52 PM.
I think Rachel is a breath of fresh air in countdown.
Give the girl a chance to gain confidence and she will be brilliant. Jeff is great.
By George Roussos. Posted July 27 2009 at 4:48 PM.
What does Rachel think she looks like? What a disaster, please bring back Carol !!!
By Jools. Posted July 20 2009 at 2:26 PM.
Rachel is humble, attractive and intelligent, far better than vorderman in every way. Jeff Stelling is also very good. I couldn't watch vorderman without getting annoyed by her greed, fronting loan sharks adverts and farmfoods. Why are people so brainwashed into thinking someone is indispencible, this is why we have got crazy salary's for the likes of Ross & Vorderman who think they are ireplaceable
By jim. Posted July 14 2009 at 4:09 PM.
i think rachel is sexy , even more so than carol
so what is all the fuss about
By big dave p. Posted July 13 2009 at 6:38 PM.
Hi there I've just caught the tail end of the show 25/6/09 THE NUMBERS GAME..50 100 9 4 1 10 to total 588. No one got it, not even Rachel got it,,,,I however am just a Taxi driver but I got it in less than 10 seconds 50 times 10 = 500, 9+4-1=12, 100-12=88 add to the 500 da da, there it is.........How good is Rachel,,,,,NOT.....I want her job......Lol
By Tim Day. Posted June 25 2009 at 4:20 PM.
I don't know why people are critising Jeff and Rachel. I think they are brilliant. Since they took over, the show has a new lease of life and is probably better than when Richard Whiteley did it, no disrespect. Jeff Stelling is a fantastic presenter and is on Sky Sports as well. When I found out he was doing countdown, I thought I would start and watch it again because, let's face it, Des Lynam was boring and Des O'Connor wasn't much better. Rachel took a little while but her and Jeff make a great team. Let's hope they stay for some time to come.
By Philip Routledge. Posted June 25 2009 at 3:22 AM.
Rachel Riley is just eye candy, has no personality and a complete waste of money. Countdown will never be the same. Bring back Carol at least she was able to work out the complicated maths when the contestants failed to do so. I haven't noticed Rachel Riley doing anything except stand around in very short skirts.......
By Val . Posted June 16 2009 at 7:45 AM.
Rachel Riley is pretty and charming and her maths is improving as she gains confidence.
We are told that Channel 4 are expecting a big increase in the number of male viewers - not surpising the way they dress her.
Some way one feels the tone of the show is not what it used to be.
By J Hall. Posted May 5 2009 at 8:29 PM.
its true, carol wont be missed, she had to go, good luck rachael, your doing such a fantastic job!
By abyss. Posted May 4 2009 at 6:58 PM.
Carol Vordermann became an embarressment to the programme with her blatent efforts to monopolise the proceedings.She unfortunately acquired an ego that outstripped her abilities.
Rachel Riley is a breath of fresh air and has grown greatly in confidence and competence over the weeks. With her-and Jeff Stelling in the chair-the show is as watchable as it was in its early days.
By Dave. Posted April 19 2009 at 8:01 PM.
I will defend Carol to the ends of the earth! Having met her on a number of occasions she is the most down to earth and friendly lady you could wish for. I know first hand just how much she loved working on Countdown. She will have been devastated to have been forced to leave and who in their right mind would continue in a job where they knew full well the bosses didn't want them any more ! What an intolerable situation
Ask anyone who KNOWS her personally and no one will say she's too big for her boots. FAR FROM IT. She is a darling.
By Better homes Sally. Posted April 12 2009 at 10:57 PM.
If Carol was at best average at maths, then what does that make the new girl. An Oxford graduate, plese dont tell me that is in maths, because if that is what they are turning out, God help us. Watched few new shows and she is terrible at basic sums, notice she always waits for contestent to tell her answer to multiplication, whereas with Carol at least she always knew in what directon the contestant was heading. She may be new to show, but thats what they get for employing someone with a Mickey Mouse degree in media studies/performing arts.
By Liam McNulty. Posted March 30 2009 at 4:18 PM.
Feb 24th.No I cannot watch Countdown anymore.Channel 4 have got the wrong people.I knew I should have applied for the job(I am 72)!!!!I also think the presenters are overpaid,lack personality and boringgggg-Sorry
By shirley. Posted February 24 2009 at 9:00 PM.
Please bring Carol back, the show is dying, its bad enough having Jeff in charge, but with the dull and dismal Rachel trying to do her sums, it is just too bad.
By GAIL. Posted February 3 2009 at 5:09 PM.
The new girl!Oh dear!!
Most of the comments I have read I agree with:
1.Has Rachel ever SAID ANYTHING!! Not in the ten or so episodes that I have watched!She seems to die of fright when anyone speaks to her!!
2.
Carol,however did get involved in conversation,but I am glad that her going into hysterical laughter at the most trivial remark has gone for ever!!
3.The numbers rules:
a)I think that sometimes all the numbers are NOT used
b)I have never seen anyone use slightly more comlplicated 'maths' such as using powers of numbers,eg 2 to the power 4 is 16, the sguare of 25 is 5.Did Carol ever use this system to get an answer,do the rules allow this??
By ted. Posted February 3 2009 at 12:14 PM.
i think countdown has lost something since carol left; there's no doubt there was a chemistry between richard and she.
i agree that suzie dent seems ill at ease and that rachel seems a little nervous. its just not the same,every thing seems a little forced such as the humour; it used to be so much more laid back i.e richards gaffes and the relaxed atmosphere.
time will tell if things will pick up but i really don't enjoy it anymore.also i was surprised at des's bitchy comment!
By anthony sewell. Posted February 2 2009 at 1:39 AM.
Rachel is like a bit of wood! She reminded me of a school play with nervous children. Opps i forget that what she is! She has no experience in broadcasting. I found watching the first week a bit boring. The Chemistry is lost. Susie dent looked a bit unsettled too. Its not easy to watch anymore. Its embarsssing and crigneworthy TV.
By steven jones. Posted January 20 2009 at 11:39 AM.
i liked carol and dez ,after watching the new show i can say that jeff fits the spot niceley and i think with time racheal will fit in and do better at the maths .i am quite sad to see carol go i cant understand channel 4.however i think that countdown is great i love it and always will.
By alan. Posted January 18 2009 at 8:33 PM.
i was sad to see dez and carol go ,however after watching the new show i can say that jeff seems to fit the part as for racheal i think with time she will improve, but she has some big boots to fill.i cant understand channel 4 carol was great well anyway i still love the show and always will.
By alan. Posted January 18 2009 at 9:02 PM.
we are witnessing a time in 21st. century that will never be repeated countdown is now just a tv game not a national treasure the vordaman experience is over and forever revered in our minds and our history
By bill wood. Posted January 16 2009 at 1:36 PM.
Carol Voderman was ludicrously overpaid. There is no reason for anyone doing such unimportant work to be paid more than the new girl is getting.
By Oliver Chettle. Posted January 12 2009 at 4:24 PM.
This show should be taken off-air or re-scheduled to
the mornings as it is a tired and dull format that has run
its course.
Bring back Pet-Rescue or similar to teach people how to
look after their pets.
By MR STUART HALL. Posted January 1 2009 at 8:58 PM.
i am not gonna watch it ever again. carol use to be the only sexy women on tv at day time.
By vashy. Posted January 1 2009 at 5:01 PM.
Oh come on!!! Give the girl a chance! Don't make Carol out to be a saint; there were many many many times she couldn't do the arithmetic (not maths). Also, look back to her first shows; she was absolutely dreadful - indeed the whole show was quite boring. I look forward to seeing the new show; I think Jeff will be great.
By trix. Posted January 1 2009 at 11:35 AM.
Countdown is entertaining AND educational and sometimes informative, surely what television is supposed to be? Viewrs and TV studio audiences can participate at their own level and how many TV programmes can boast that?
Whoever presents it will soon become household names - log live Countdown
By dumbo. Posted December 29 2008 at 5:38 PM.
Carol Vordeman was unbearable. I stopped watching Countdown two years ago because of her dreadful exhibitionism and that awful cackle. A change will be for the best and I will begin wathcing again on the 12th January.
By Anthony Painter. Posted December 29 2008 at 4:46 PM.
What ever happened to the bouncy blonde that used to do the letters game?Carol only did the numbers when the program started in 1982
By Howard. Posted December 29 2008 at 3:05 PM.
I don't think the Countdown show will be the same, without Carol Vorderman, and Des o'connor, he brought class to rather a very dull program, after Des Lynham had left the show, I give the new people in program countdown six months, then it will cease to be shown.
By Alan Mills. Posted December 29 2008 at 12:38 PM.
Give Rachel a break! I'm sure she will be excellent when her nerves have settled.
Good luck to her.
By N. Denkmayer. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:28 PM.
Miss Vorderman was already rather too full of herself even before the late, great, Richard departed this earth - just look at how she was always looking at herself in the TV monitors beside the stage.
Since then, she became even more of a prima donna - acting as though SHE was the star of the show. Channel 4 were very sensible in the way they encouraged her to leave and they are well rid of her.
By Eric Bolan. Posted December 28 2008 at 7:43 PM.
BRING CAROL VORDERMAN BACK
By KIM BISHOPP. Posted December 28 2008 at 6:28 PM.
good it will make a change to see a new face
By gerald stone. Posted December 28 2008 at 4:42 PM.
I have friends who attended the same grammar school and 6th form as Rachel, i hear she is a beautiful person who has studied very hard and clearly deserves\earned this opportunity, even if she failed to answer some of the tasks correctly during her first series it was obviously down to nerves (TV lights and cameras are intimidating/distracting), once she is settled i am sure she will match and maybe even surpass the achievements of Carol.
I for one really hopes Mrs Riley excels, her family must be extremely proud.
I am aware her old school friends are delighted for her as are many members of the public.
As for the people refusing to tune in due to the former presenters departure are rather pathetic, because i and surely all off you watch the programme not for its presenters but for its format thus it shouldnt matter who is reading the autocue or calculating the numbers as long as the show remains the same.
Good Luck Rachel Riley and Jeff Stelling
By Shane Rowland. Posted December 28 2008 at 4:14 PM.
The minute Des O'Connor got involved, the show went down hill. Now its in the gutter.
By David. Posted December 28 2008 at 3:02 PM.
It was a sad day when channel 4 dispenced with carol vorderman she was ;[countdown]me & my family will not be watching countdown ever again.
By b.h.tree. Posted December 28 2008 at 3:11 PM.
Countdown lost its appeal when Richard Whiteley left. Des Lynham was a sad old man.
Vordermen kept some viewer interest but the core target audience dont go for young blonds or spiv type slick males
By paulsimpson. Posted December 28 2008 at 2:53 PM.
Stephen - that is simply not true - Carol was always very good at the maths, from day one and having been in the audience a few times over the last 10 years or so I have seen for myself that she only got the same time as the contestants.
Let's hope for Countdown's sake that Rachel's statistics start to add up.
By Kate Smart. Posted December 28 2008 at 2:11 PM.
I cant believe that both Carol V and Des O'connor commented on this story-i'm so excited!! Carol, if you are reading this, rest assured that me and my wife will also never watch Countdown again after the appalling way you were treated -it is completely unfair that you were given a 90% pay cut just because you've gotten old and fat.
By Cam. Posted December 28 2008 at 1:58 PM.
Carol Vorderman wasn't all that great at the numbers either. When she did get a solution that the contestants didn't, then it was usually because either (a) both contestants were particularly bad at the numbers game, or (b) she had gone on working out the solution while other things were happening, thereby getting several minutes to work it out instead of the 30 seconds the contestants get. Yes, she did sometimes get a geuinely brilliant solution within the time - but only rarely. It's unlikely that Carol would have outshone the contestants in a Champion Of Champions competition, even after 26 years' experience, so to expect a newcomer to do so is really asking a bit too much.
By Stephen Dedalus. Posted December 28 2008 at 1:12 PM.
I'm sure if they looked back at the old tapes Carol was probably crap in her early days as well.
There is a technique to solving the maths puzzles it's not about brain power.
By Martin. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:33 PM.
I was in the audience for one of the days and Rachel was not very good at all - admittedly she has a lot to live up to, but her maths ain't all it's been cracked up to be.
Whatever you thought about Carol she was great at the maths. I happened to like her very much and won't be watching any more.
By Kate Smart. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:37 PM.
Carol tried to take over when Mr Whiteley died.
It spoilt the balance. She should have stayed just on the numbers.She is not worth what she was payed.Her dress sense is for a women of her age is laughable .
Don Minehead
By mr d clark. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:29 PM.
Carol Vorderman never did maths - she did basic mental arithmetic.
By SadieP. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:26 PM.
the best thing on c4 was carol vordermann she will always be a delightful elegant sexy intelligent lady with so much charisma to watch i dont think i ll be watching countdown again will never be the same without carol . all the best carol
By akeem shaky. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:24 PM.
When i was primeminister.. this would never happen! x
By Tony Blair. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:18 PM.
who cares...the new girl is an absolute babe...Carol should sit in her rocking chair in front of the fire and remember times gone by
By donald mcdonald. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:01 PM.
Countdown is old hat.
They should extend the legnth of the Paul O'Grady Show instead! [ha ha]
By claire. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:58 AM.
Serious misconception that Carol was any good at the numbers; she was only very average at best.... Give the new girl a chance please has she will come good......If not give me a ring.....Better than the pair of them.
By One Blood. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:58 AM.
sexy carol vorderman was the only reason to watch countdown big mistake c4
By richard. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:52 AM.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE IN THIS FORUM WOULD TAKE A PAYCUT, AND STILL PUT IN HARD GRAFT?
By Clynt. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:22 AM.
carol is the champion.i'm going to watch cartoons with my boy.
By Jethro. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:19 AM.
thank goodness that leg of mutton Carol is out, she is a greedy woman. Good luck to Rachel.
By annie. Posted December 28 2008 at 11:10 AM.
Glad you wont be watching Carol - you were overrated and overpaid anyway - Love Des
By Des O'Connor. Posted December 28 2008 at 10:53 AM.
why do you think they treated carol bad? They offered her £100,000 for a few hours work a week. If she loved the show and fans so much she would have taken this impressive salary regardless on how much she earned before.
By tom. Posted December 28 2008 at 10:24 AM.
Give the girl a break. Saint Carol has a lot to live up to. Stop all this nastiness and stupid remarks. Just dont watch if it upsets you that much.
By lyn. Posted December 28 2008 at 10:23 AM.
I will never watch it again after they way they treated Carol and the memory of Richard
By celeste gray. Posted December 28 2008 at 9:51 AM.
I will never watch it again after they way they treated Carol and the memory of Richard
By celeste gray. Posted December 28 2008 at 9:44 AM.
The original formats always remain the most popular and despite what people say, this does make a difference to the ratings. Old die-hards who rate this programme amongst their favourites will continue to watch no matter what, but I'd bet my bottom dollar they'd rather have it back the way it was.
By Sassy. Posted December 28 2008 at 9:01 AM.
I think Rachel will bring a bit of class to the show. This skill that Carol had, is only that, a skill, and can be learned. Let's face it Carol has been doing this programme for most of Rachel's life.
Let's put it into perspective, it's only a few sums for goodness sake.
Carol was overpaid and overrated. She should have done some maths regarded her boot size, she definitely got too big for them.
By Carol. Posted December 28 2008 at 7:57 AM.
i think certain people are being rather childish above comments
whilst you may have your opinion and be heated about certain issues its justified but to take things so personal and simply not watch a good programme again is drastic and over the top carol has remained dignified and accepts the decision - yes she was great and it will find hard anyone up to her her performance but the show needed a change and things do not stay the same for ever , the point is not watching the programme again will not achieve anything for you tv is all about enjoyment and in that respect its your loss
By fiona. Posted December 28 2008 at 6:33 AM.
I won't watch it anymore either.
By G.Smith. Posted December 28 2008 at 4:32 AM.
Nevermind Rachel, the legend that is Jeff Stelling will breathe so much life into this show, it'll be attracting hundreds of thousands of new viewers, me included!!
By calzaghe101. Posted December 28 2008 at 5:18 AM.
People shud give her time to find her feet , its always hard to follow a star like Carol but this girl is just new and will be fine after a few more weeks or so , remember they say , the best way of getting things right is by having mistakes and correcting them . Good luck sweetheat .
By Tavonga Bizah. Posted December 28 2008 at 2:50 AM.
I will never watch it again on a point of principle and neither will my husband Richard, your loss C4
By carol vordermann. Posted December 28 2008 at 12:31 AM.