Alexander Armstrong has opened up about his decision to turn down an offer to host the hit game show Countdown on Channel 4.
The 52-year-old Pointless presenter appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning and sat in the studio alongside presenters Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins.
The conversation turned to Countdown as Adil expressed his surprise at learning Alexander had decided not to host the hit show when given the chance.
Adil said: “You're so good at the quiz thing. I was surprised to hear, only with the researcher I was chatting to for this, that you turned down Countdown?”
Alexander admitted he had turned it down, prompting a shocked Adil to exclaim: “Why? What were you thinking?”
Alexander explained: “I took it very seriously, Countdown – well, it was a job. I take everything seriously that I'm offered.
“I felt Countdown was a very revered format and I got the sense that there wasn’t going to be a lot of leeway to muck about with it and Pointless is all mucking about, really.”
Adil replied: “Would you have been able to fit it in doing Pointless and Countdown? Would you have had to give up?”
He said: “I wouldn't have been able to do both. Pointless came in as my treat for saying no to Countdown.
“It was a really tough call because they were such nice people and I love Countdown. Basically, I had stopped doing comedy by then and I wanted something that would have a little bit of comedy in it.”
This comes after Colin Murray has been named as the latest presenter to sit in the host's chair on the teatime favourite quiz, following the news that Anne Robinson would leave the show after just a year.
The Northern Irish broadcaster, 45, announced the exciting presenting role using a footballing analogy, writing on Twitter : “Earn respect of dressing room (Susie Dent and Rachel Riley), get some points on the board, try to win a trophy! 75 games to get it right!
“Absolute honour. Fave show ever. July 14 to start of Nov. #Countdown.”
Murray confirmed he was already recording episodes of the much-loved show with co-hosts Rachel Riley and Susie Dent, as he shared a clip of his new dressing room on social media.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
