Countdown’s Susie Dent reveals all about show’s notorious rude words and how bosses ‘reshuffle’ the letters
COUNTDOWN star Susie Dent has lifted the lid on the Channel 4 show's notorious rude words.
Susie, 57, has been in Dictionary Corner on the programme for the last 30 years.
During that time the host has witnessed a myriad of different words appear on the legendary board - and attempts to stop the cheekier ones from popping up.
Susie told : "Rude words frequently come up on the letters board, sometimes necessitating a hasty reshuffle so we can start again."
She also confessed that she would often be the cause of "giggling on the Countdown set".
Susie admitted to her habit of using her hands to help explain words on the show.
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She explained: "...the entirely unconscious hand gestures I apparently make whenever I’m defining a word.
"I have somehow made ‘areola’ a speciality, making circular motions over my chest as I offer it up as a word, much to the amusement of the Dictionary Corner guest."
"Even this is nothing compared to the 12 takes it took me to explain the origin of ‘cock-a-hoop’," Susie added.
The team at Countdown are facing a new line-up after host Anne Robinson dramatically quit as host earlier this year.
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Announcing her departure, Anne - who was the sixth host of the Channel 4 quiz show - told the : "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.
"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."
Channel 4 later announced Colin Murray as Anne's temporary replacement and added that he'd be on screens until Autumn.
