Rachel Riley is best known as the co-host of channel 4s Countdown, one of Britain’s most loved quiz shows. She is responsible for the maths element of the show. Rachel Is another in a long line of what has become known as the ‘Thinking Mans Crumpet’ in the UK, though we prefer the term British Babes.

She was born on March 11, 1986 in Paddington, London and was educated at Southend High School for Girls and then studied mathematics at Oriel College, Oxford, where she got a 2:1.

There were more than 1,000 applications for the co-host job on Countdown, in which Rachel Riley replaces Carol Vorderman, who worked on the show for 26 years before stepping down after she was allegedly offered a massive pay cut. Prior to landing the countdown presenter she had no tv experience, having previously worked as an intern in a City job and a marketing analyst after leaving university. She has always been a fan of Countdown and before applying for the job had the show’s theme tune as her mobile ringtone. When she was much younger she was given a Countdown chocolate gift set as a present.

The Daily Mail quoted her as saying: “Prior to my audition I bought five Countdown puzzle books and tackled over 500 different numbers games in order to hone my skills.”

‘But nothing can prepare you for playing against the music and clock! I must have done something right, as they invited me back for a proper screen test’

When she landed the job as Countdown presenter, Rachel Riley was quoted by BBC as saying: “There’s only one cool maths job around and I was lucky enough to get it so I’m absolutely thrilled.” She was described as an ‘Essex girl’ by the Daily Mail, which seems to be pushing it as she was not born in Essex.

As if things weren’t exciting enough, before taking up the new role Rachel got to go shopping with a stylist to buy a range of outfits and dresses for the programme

‘Because you’re filming for 45 minutes for each show, you can wear really high heels that you wouldn’t be able to wear all day. That has been great! To be honest, the whole thing has been quite surreal. When I see myself on monitors, I feel as if I have been superimposed in front of the numbers.’

She will take on the role in the 60th series of Countdown, which was the first ever show broadcast on Channel 4.Her co-host is Jeff Stelling, best known for presenting Super Saturday on Sky Sports.It is claimed she is being paid £100,000 a year for working around 55 days per year on Countdown.Carol Vorderman sent Rachel Riley a massive bunch of flowers to congratulate her on getting the job.

‘Carol has been doing Countdown for 26 years and I am a huge fan,’ said Rachel. ‘She sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers when I got the job, with a little note, and I was really appreciative of that. I’d love to meet her one day.’

Rachel Riley still lives at home with her parents, although how long that lasts is open to question with her salary and likely media deals that go with the Countdown job.

Rachel Riley & Other British Babes