Bookmakers have tipped Carol Vorderman and Rachel Filey as favourites to replace Anne Robinson as the main presenter after number one favourite Richard Osman ruled himself out of the running.
Carol Vorderman, who was the show's maths whizz for 26 years, this week told fans it 'would be an honour' to return to Countdown as host after calls for her to get the job.
It was revealed that Anne Robinson was leaving the show after just one year earlier this week by The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff, and Anne has since said she quit over a pay dispute.
Back again? Carol Vorderman, who was the show's maths whizz for 26 years, this week told fans it 'would be an honour' to return to Countdown as host after calls for her to get the job
It has been claimed the cast of Countdown are 'relieved' Anne is leaving after reports of an on-set feud with Rachel Riley - who Anne reportedly found 'too noisy' - and Susie Dent.
And as speculation circles about who will replace her, bookmakers have put Carol at the top of their lists, with Paddy Power giving her 4/1 odds, topped only by comedian Romesh Ranganathan with 2/1 odds.
After becoming a favourite to take the job as host and return to the show, after she departed as co-host in 2008, Carol took to Twitter on Wednesday to admit she would be 'honoured' to be offered the role.
She wrote: 'Thank you to all of you saying such lovely things about a possibility of me returning to Countdown.
Hope: Carol, who was the show's maths whizz for 26 years (pictured in 1984), this week told fans it 'would be an honour' to return to Countdown as host after calls for her to get the job
Honoured: Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, she sent her well wishes to the 'lucky human' who becomes the new host
'You're very kind & it would be an honour but I want to wish whoever is the lucky human to be the new host all the love and 9 letter words in the world #CountWell#HappyDays.'
Speaking to The Sun, a TV insider previously revealed: 'Carol is such a big part of Countdown and Channel 4 know how much everyone loves her.
'Bosses would love her to come back as the main host, her Countdown journey would come full circle. It would be perfect.'
A source close to the star told the publication: 'Countdown has always held a special place in Carol's heart. And she continues to be a big fan of the show, nearly 40 years on.
Fingers crossed! Carol's fans were quick to take to Twitter to share their hopes that she would return to the game show, dubbing her an 'amazing' choice
Promotion? Carol is not the only Countdown star who has been tipped to secure the hosting job on the Channel 4 game show, as existing co-host Rachel Riley is also in the running
'It's lovely to see that she's had such great support from fans of the show online.'
And Carol's fans were quick to take to Twitter to share their hopes that she would return to the game show, dubbing her an 'amazing' choice.
One person wrote: 'I'm definitely team @carolvorders to replace @AnneRobinson.'
Another said: 'As a huge fan and former contestant, please take the host job as I'm sure you will get offered it. it would be amazing.'
A third penned: 'We all need our Carol back.'
And a fourth added: '@carolvorders gets my vote for the countdown job. Would be perfect.'
While a fifth commented: 'Lets get @carolvorders back on #countdown.'
Carol is not the only Countdown star who has been tipped to secure the hosting job on the Channel 4 game show, as existing co-host Rachel Riley is also in the running.
William Hill put Rachel, 36, as their number one favourite, giving her the top odds of 3/1.
She was tied at the top with Paul O'Grady, who were both closely followed by Moira Stuart and Colin Murray, both with odds of 4/1.
Rachel replaced Carol as the show's maths whizz on the long-running show and has been in the position for nearly 15 years.
Many bookmakers had put Richard Osman as their number one favourite to become the new host, but the author took himself out of the running on Wednesday.
Richard, 51, became the favourite to replace Anne with Ladbrokes saying he has 3/1 odds of nabbing the job, while Star Sports Bookmarkers placed him at 4/1.
But he took to Twitter to hit back at bookmakers marking him as the favourite for the job, as he joked he is 'mortal enemies' with Countdown's Susie Dent.
Richard recently quit his show Pointless after 13 years but insisted he has 'no time' for the role and instead showed his support for radio presenter Colin Murray, 45, getting the job.
He tweeted: 'I keep reading I'm the favourite to be the new Countdown host. But there are 3 problems.
'1. I just gave up a show I love because I have no time. 2. @susiedent and I are mortal enemies. 3. They should give the job to @ColinMurray.'
Richard said in his statement last month when he quit Pointless: 'I will miss everyone so much, but I'm thrilled that I'll still be presenting the celebrity shows. I can't thank everyone enough for twelve amazing years.'
After Richard took himself out of the running, Sandi Toksvig has quickly become a new favourite for the job, being given odds of 7/1 by William Hill.
After her name began circulating for the role, Sandi, 64, addressed the speculation during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Thursday.
The star, who recently quit as Great British Bake Off presenter and hosts QI, teased that she was available for hire and she said she likes to say 'yes' to new opportunities.
She said: 'They've not asked me. It's an iconic programme. The thing with life is, say yes to the thing you haven't done yet. Who knows, watch this space, I am available for hire.'
In their other favourites, Ladbrokes deemed comedian Susan Calman and Taskmaster star Alex Horne as the strongest odds for replacements, both of whom have 4/1 odds.
Writer Victoria Coren Mitchell was next with 9/2 odds, while 8 Out Of 10 Cats star Jon Richardson follows with 11/2 odds.
Denial: Richard Osman has denied that he will be the next Countdown host after he became a favourite at the bookmakers
Amusing: The presenter, 51, took to Twitter to hit back at bookmakers marking him as the top favourite for the job, as he joked that he is 'mortal enemies' with Countdown's Susie Dent
Host: Richard recently quit his show Pointless after 13 years but insisted that he has 'no time' for the job and instead said radio presenter Colin Murray, 45, should get the job
Meanwhile, Star Sports Bookmakers placed Richard in first place followed by Colin Murray, who Richard showed his support for, with odds of 6/1.
The BBC Radio 5 Live host, 45, has previously appeared on Countdown as a guest and has also stood-in as presenter before, temporarily replacing Nick Hewer.
Colin was followed by comedian Joe Lycett with 16/1 odds, The Last Leg's Adam Hills, who was given 20/1 odds, while Piers Morgan also made the list with unlikely 100/1 odds.
Also thrown into the running were Sir Trevor McDonald, with odds of 6/1, and Lorraine Kelly with 7/1 odds.
Hinting? Sandi Toksvig, who recently quit as Great British Bake Off presenter and hosts QI, teased that she was available for hire and she said she likes to say 'yes' to new opportunities as her name entering the running for Countdown host
Elsewhere, excited Twitter users also
