Jeff Stelling of the year, after three years at the helm, to concentrate on football, including his new Champions League role. He was replaced by Nick Hewer. In August 2016, Stelling presented a new 10-part daytime game show for ITV called "Alphabetical". The show returned for a second series of 20 episodes in October 2017. On 23 November 2007 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Professional Studies by the University of Teesside. Stelling was named Sports Broadcaster of the Year for four successive years by the Sports Journalists' Association, based on a poll of its members. On 12 March 2010, he
Jeff Stelling new host of the Channel 4 game show "Countdown" following the departure of Des O'Connor. He had reportedly also been approached for the role following the death of long-time host Richard Whiteley, but the role was given to former fellow sports presenter Des Lynam instead. Stelling began recording "Countdown" in December 2008, with the show's new assistant Rachel Riley, and started broadcasting in January 2009. He also appears during an episode of "The IT Crowd" in the same role. However, it was announced on 25 May 2011 that Stelling would be stepping down as presenter of "Countdown" at the end