Her Countdown co-star Nick Hewer shocked fans on Monday as he revealed he’d quit the show after 10 years of hosting.
But Rachel Riley didn’t let the bad news get her down as she put on a cheerful display as she left the Countdown studios in Manchester’s Mediacity on Tuesday.
The presenter, 34, was full of Christmas cheer as she donned a festive reindeer jumper as she headed home for the evening.
Beaming: Rachel Riley didn’t let the bad news get her down as she put on a cheerful display as she left the Countdown studios in Manchester’s Mediacity on Tuesday
Rachel wrapped up against the cool December weather as she added a long black coat to her ensemble, teaming this with black leggings.
The mother-of-one also donned black and white trainers, while she carried her essentials in a tan rucksack.
Rachel wore her hair loose as she left the studio, while also staying protected amid the pandemic with a plastic visor.
Also seen leaving the studio was fellow Countdown favourite Susie Dent, 56, who also bundled up in a long black coat.
Festive attire: The presenter, 34, was full of Christmas cheer as she donned a festive reindeer jumper as she headed home for the evening
It comes after host Nick quit the show after nearly ten years of hosting. The presenter, 76, took to Twitter on Monday to announce the news as he admitted the coronavirus pandemic had forced him to rethink his future.
Nick revealed that he won’t be renewing his contract in January as he approaches turning 77 in February and his tenth year of hosting.
The former The Apprentice aide had recently stepped away from the Channel 4 gameshow to shield at home during the second coronavirus lockdown, where he was replaced by Colin Murray, 43. He has since returned to the studio.
Winter style: Rachel wrapped up against the cool December weather as she added a long black coat to her ensemble, teaming this with black leggings
Covered up: Rachel wore her hair loose as she left the studio, while also staying protected amid the pandemic with a plastic visor
Look who it is: Also seen leaving the studio was fellow Countdown favourite Susie Dent, 56, who also bundled up in a long black coat
Nick said it has been a ‘privilege and a pleasure’ to be part of the show as he thanked co-stars Susie and Rachel.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, he tweeted: ‘Delighted to be back in the Countdown studio after another enforced lockdown, BUT this latest lockdown has given me an opportunity to consider my future life.
‘I’ve decided it’s a good time to step down at the end of my contract in the New Year. As someone in his 77th year, who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution that is Countdown, I think it’s time to smell the flowers and get a dog.’
Stepping down: Nick took to Twitter and revealed that he won’t be renewing his contract in January as he approaches turning 77 in February and his tenth year of hosting
Bowing out: The presenter told how the coronavirus pandemic had forced him to rethink his future (pictured with co-hosts Susie, left, and Rachel, right, in 2011)
It comes after Nick took a break from the show in November and was replaced by presenter Colin Murray.
The presenter temporarily stepped away from the Channel 4 gameshow as he shielded at home during the national four-week lockdown at the end of November, despite having ‘military-style safety protocols’ in the studio.
Taking to Twitter at the time, Nick announced the news and joked that he would have liked to continue on the show, but his family have ‘handcuffed me to a radiator.’
The former The Apprentice aide, who falls into the vulnerable category, began permanently hosting the series in 2012, taking over from Jeff Stelling.
Brief break: It comes after Nick took a break from the show in November and was replaced by presenter Colin Murray, he has since returned to the studio since second lockdown ended