Countdown's resident Dictionary Corner star Susie Dent is set to miss a week's worth of episodes of the Channel 4 show.
The lexicographer, who has been an integral part of the show since 1992 (!), was notably absent on Monday (December 13) this week.
During the episode, host Anne Robinson confirmed that her co-star was away having a COVID-19 test.
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However, a Channel 4 spokesperson has since confirmed to the Radio Times that Dent will be absent for the remainder of the week's episodes, though will be returning to the show next Monday (December 20).
As multiple episodes tend to be filmed in one day weeks in advance of the broadcast, Dent was unable to attend filming, thus missing a week's worth of episodes.
Also absent from the episode this week was Rachel Riley, who is on maternity leave, with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon replacing her on the words and numbers board.
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Meanwhile, a few weeks ago Robinson responded to rumours of a feud between her and Riley, with MailOnline quoting the new host as calling Riley and her own predecessor Nick Hewer "brilliant – both of them actually".
She added: "Every time I'm astonished how [Rachel] does that adding up and subtracting. [It takes] just seconds, absolutely seconds. Amazing."
Riley previously responded to reports as well, describing Robinson as "not the cuddliest person in the world" on Lorraine.
However, she then added: "She's making it her own and she's getting some stuff out of the contestants and sometimes it's barbed, sometimes it's funny – it's got a different flavour."
Countdown airs weekdays on Channel 4.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
