Rachel Riley replaced by ‘brilliant mathematician’ and YouTuber on Countdown

Rachel Riley pointing to letters on Channel 4 show Countdown — Rachel Riley is taking a short break from Countdown to work on another project (Picture: Channel 4)

Rachel Riley is taking a temporary step back from her Countdown duties – and her replacement has been revealed.

The Channel 4 maths whizz, 39, is taking a short break from the long-running show to work on another project.

While she is away, her friend mathematician Dr Tom Crawford will take over her duties.

Dr Tom is well-known for his Tom Rocks Maths YouTube account, where he has more than 200,000 subscribers, with some of his videos clocking up millions of views.

His YouTube videos see him make ‘elite mathematics teaching available to everyone’ and also feature the Equations Stripped series.

Dr Tom is also a lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Cambridge’s Robinson College and according to his official website, has 15 maths-themed tattoos.

Undated handout photo issued by Channel 4 of Dr Tom Crawford and Rachel Riley. Dr Crawford, a Cambridge and Oxford University mathematician, will cover for his friend Rachel on Countdown whilst she takes a short break from the programme. Dr Crawford is well-known for his Tom Rocks Maths YouTube account, where he has more than 200,000 subscribers, with some of his videos clocking up millions of views.Issue date: Thursday February 20, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Countdown. Photo credit should read: Channel 4/Countdown/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Her friend Dr Tom is temporarily replacing her on the Channel 4 show (Picture: Channel 4/Countdown/PA Wire)

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To prepare for Countdown, he spent time alongside Rachel learning the ropes and began filming in December.

He will be seen on screen alongside the show’s lexicographer, Susie Dent, and host, Colin Murray, for the next three weeks.

Sir Stephen Fry will be in Dictionary Corner for Dr Tom’s first show, with TV and radio presenter Jenny Powell and radio presenter Vick Hope also appearing as guests over the next three weeks.

Oxford University graduate Rachel, who has been on the show since January 2009, said: ‘Countdown viewers are in great hands with Tom, who is a brilliant Mathematician and a lovely guy.

Undated handout photo issued by Channel 4 of Dr Tom Crawford, a Cambridge and Oxford University mathematician, who will cover for his friend Rachel Riley on Countdown whilst she takes a short break from the programme. Dr Crawford is well-known for his Tom Rocks Maths YouTube account, where he has more than 200,000 subscribers, with some of his videos clocking up millions of views. Issue date: Thursday February 20, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Countdown. Photo credit should read: Channel 4/Countdown/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Well-known YouTuber Dr Tom has been learning the ropes from Rachel (Picture: Channel 4/Countdown/PA Wire)

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‘He’s also used to people commenting on the clothes he wears (or lack of them) on his show so I am sure he will take to the role like a duck to water.’

Dr Tom added: ‘All of my work online is about sharing my love of Maths with the world whilst trying to make it accessible for everyone.

‘Countdown has been doing that for a generation, so it really is a dream come true to be joining this iconic show to cover Rachel. I may even have to get another tattoo to commemorate the event.’

Countdown was the first programme aired on Channel 4 when the broadcaster launched in November 1982.

Adapted from the French TV series Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters), it was originally hosted by Richard Whiteley.

Rachel has worked on Countdown since 2009 (Picture: PA)

Subsequent presenters included Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling, with TV and radio presenter Murray named the permanent host in 2023, following Anne Robinson’s departure.

Carol Vorderman appeared on the show as the assistant host, managing the letters board and checking calculations, for 26 years from 1982 until December 2008, and was replaced by Riley.

Rachel, who is married to former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev, was named in the 2022 New Year Honours list where she was made an MBE, recognised for services to Holocaust education and fighting antisemitism.

Countdown airs on Channel 4 every weekday afternoon from 2.10pm.

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