Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, 34, has addressed an unfortunate case of “bad timing” while sharing an announcement about when the Channel 4 programme will be returning to TV screens following a break in filming due to the coronavirus lockdown. The television personality informed an eager fan that the show will be “back on air in August” after posting an adorable snap of her and husband Pasha Kovalev’s baby daughter Maven behind-the-scenes.
She captioned the sweet moment: “So much socially distanced cooing going on at @C4Countdown this week.”
In response to the photo, a fan quizzed Rachel: “Are filming new episodes now? I do hope so. I need my daily fix.”(sic)
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant replied: “We are indeed! Back on air in August.”
However, in spite of the exciting news about the programme’s return, Rachel also apologised to a contestant who missed out on seeing her baby at Countdown.
READ MORE… Rachel Riley’s Countdown co-star says she ‘has always been distant’
The Twitter user cheekily told the star: “Sadly never got to see your beautiful baby yesterday at Countdown, was too busy setting all time scoring records!”
Rachel then admitted: “Bad timing to be in I’m afraid apologies on behalf of the contestant scheduler!”
The Countdown fan went on to write back: “Maybe Nick’s chair next time, would make a great story, useless contestant to presenter! Will apply when he retires!”
Following her funny exchange with the contestant, Rachel also joked about her hair looking slightly disheveled in the photo she posted alongside her little one.
The host then walked over to Rachel’s corner in the studio and said: “We’ve got Rachel, she’s always been slightly distant, so no change there,” which prompted Ben to laugh.
Kate then queried Nick’s comment, as she asked: “When you say Rachel has always been distant, you mean physically, not emotionally? She’s very friendly Rachel, isn’t she?”
Nick sat down in front of her board and simply replied: “Here.”
Addressing the changes to the show, Nick revealed that guests will be kept at a safe distance from each other and will no longer wear microphones.
Instead, microphones have been fitted to desks to stop sound engineers having to attach them to contestants.
He added of the social distancing measures: “There’s a route around the studio; a left and a right lane.”
Other changes include the cast doing their own make-up and scrapping a studio audience.
“The production people worked miracles to make sure that everything is absolutely rock-solid safe,” Nick explained.