Susie Dent: Countdown star speaks out on Carol Vorderman in ‘honest’ admission
SUSIE DENT, who is a firm favourite on Countdown alongside her co-stars Rachel Riley and Nick Hewer, has spoken candidly about her former colleague Carol Vorderman.
Carol Vorderman discusses start of new decade
Susie Dent, 55, has been the resident lexicographer in the Dictionary Corner on Countdown for the past 27 years. The Channel 4 favourite opened up about her time working alongside TV veteran Carol Vorderman, 59, as she admitted barely seeing the mathematician.
The presenter made her debut on Countdown in 1992 just a decade after Carol first appeared on the programme.
The pair worked alongside the late host Richard Whiteley who died in 2005 following complications after heart surgery.
Susie has now opened up about her relationship with the TV stars and credited them both for getting her a job on Countdown.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, the TV personality revealed it was thanks to Richard and Carol she has remained a firm fixture in Dictionary Corner.
READ MORE: Susie Dent: Countdown star addresses Rachel Riley replacement
“It was happy days recording with Carol and Richard,” Susie explained. “I have lovely memories of those days and they were lovely for me too.”
Susie admitted it was both Carol and Richard’s idea to create a full-time team for Dictionary Corner on Countdown.
She continued: “Because I was one of several people who rotated in the corner. It was Richard and Carol who actually wanted to have a full time team.
“So they basically said, ‘OK let’s get together a solid team.’ I was there at the right time.”
Susie added: “So it was thanks to them that I got a full-time gig. So I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Carol departed the show in 2008, two years after Richard had died.
The TV legend was later replaced by Rachel Riley, 34, who joined Countdown in 2009.
Elsewhere, Susie admitted she has not seen Carol in a long time but put it down to their busy schedules.
She explained: “I don’t see Carol. I haven’t seen Carol in ages actually. She’s incredibly busy, she’s flying quite a lot gearing up for that incredible challenge.
DON'T MISS...
Alex Scott on Neil Jones romance claims post-Strictly[TV]
Demi Rose: Instagram model flaunts cleavage in very busty beach snaps[PICTURES]
Lucy Verasamy: ITV weather star speaks of ‘big improvement’[WEATHER]
“So I haven’t seen Carol for the longest time. To be honest, I’ve been ridiculously busy on tour. Last year I was on tour quite a lot so I don’t have a social life at the moment.”
Susie has been on the road for her new tour, The Secret Life of Words, which explores the surreal origins of the words we use daily.
Elsewhere, the Channel 4 favourite has spilled on show bosses’ plans on whether or not they’ll have someone else “stand-in” for Rachel who recently exited the show to go on maternity leave.
Susie confirmed that while Rachel will be having time off from Countdown to raise her child, she will not be seen away from the programme.
In addition, Susie confirmed there will also be “no re-runs” of Countdown and only brand new episodes.
She explained: “There’ll be no reruns either. We banked a lot of shows actually, before Christmas and before Rachel went on maternity leave.
“So we had quite an intense recording schedule to get in enough in the can.”
She added: “And when we go back we’ll just pick up from where we left off. So, yes it’s going to be Rachel all the way.”
The My McDonald’s App can be downloaded for Apple or Android phones through the following link: spr.ly/MyMcDonaldsApp
Countdown airs weekdays on Channel 4 at 2.10pm.