Countdown (game show) television continuously since 1965. "Countdown" was initially recorded at The Leeds Studios for 27 years, before moving to Manchester-based Granada Studios in 2009. Following the development of MediaCityUK, Countdown moved again in 2013 to the new purpose build studios at Dock10, Greater Manchester. The programme was presented by Richard Whiteley for over 20 years, until his sudden death in June 2005. It was then presented by Des Lynam until the end of 2006, Des O'Connor until the end of 2008, and Jeff Stelling until the end of 2011; Nick Hewer has presented the show since 2012. Carol Vorderman, the show's
Jeff Stelling Jeff Stelling Robert Jeffrey Stelling (born 18 March 1955) is an English sports journalist and sport television presenter. He currently presents "Gillette Soccer Saturday" for Sky Sports and hosted their coverage of the Champions League between 2011 and 2015. He also presented the Channel 4 quiz show "Countdown" (2009–2011) and ITV game show "Alphabetical" (2016–present). Stelling was brought up in a council house in Hartlepool. He attended Rift House Primary School and West Hartlepool Grammar School. After leaving school his first job was as a journalist at the "Hartlepool Mail" where he remained for four years. His first broadcasting position