Anne Robinson has announced that she will leave her role as host of Countdown this summer.
The 77-year-old took the reins of the long-running quiz show last year, replacing Nick Hewer and becoming the first female host to take the hotseat.
Now Robinson has decided to move on, however, and in a statement she thanked the show for helping reinvigorate her zest for life.
"I've had a blast hosting this wonderful show. And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins," she said.
"I hope too I've encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.
"In fact the genius of Countdown is that it's a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of week. And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.
"But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention."
Robinson will continue to appear on screen in episodes broadcast until the summer, while her replacement will be announced in the coming months.
Neil Wilkes
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