Countdown host Anne Robinson reportedly turned off Rachel Riley’s microphone after complaining she was being “too loud”
77-year-old Anne was left infuriated after Rachel was bantering with contestants before filming, sources claim.
This is not the first time the diva has complained about her co-star, as she has mentioned in the past how Rachel is on her phone all the time and turns up at the last minute to filming.
Maths whiz Rachel, 35, says she has been silenced and has been left fuming about the whole situation.
She announced to the crew afterwards that she “completely disagreed” with being silenced.
A TV insider has claimed: “It’s safe to say there’s no love lost.”
The show is filmed at Media City in Salford, where there have been reports of a “young versus old” divide between the stars.
A former producer of Anne told The Sun: “Anne is famously known for two things: her dislike of noise and time-keeping. She’ll tolerate neither.
“Anne also has tinnitus and cannot bear excess sound.
“Rachel, with her big heels and even bigger personality, can be quite loud on set.
(Image: Rachel Joseph/ Channel 4)
“Rachel used to chat to contestants before every show, and Anne found it hugely distracting.
“She felt she couldn’t do her job properly, or bond with the contestants to help them to relax, before the cameras started rolling.
“Poor old Rachel didn’t work it out for a couple of days, and was babbling away quite happily before realising no one could hear her.
“When Anne said she wanted silence, Rachel turned around in front of the whole studio and stated publicly that she disagreed; that she didn’t find it necessary.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“The tension was palpable. Anne finds the whole thing hilarious. There’s nothing like a bit of good-natured rivalry to get the juices flowing.
“Rachel is obviously a professional and never late for filming — she just cuts things more fine than perhaps stickler Anne would like.
“It’s safe to say there’s no love lost between these two, but it’s ratings gold.”
Channel 4 have confirmed that the ratings were the highest since 2012 this week.
Anne took over in June and the audience figures keep on rising with last months being up 15 per cent.
Director of programmes Ian Katz said: “We are thrilled that viewers are enjoying Anne at the helm of Countdown, helping one of Channel 4’s most iconic shows achieve its biggest share of audience in nine years.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
