TV
It was reported yesterday that comedian Alexander Armstrong had pulled out of the job.
Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling and panto veteran Christopher Biggins are also rumoured to be in the running to replace Des O'Connor.
According to The Sun, Sergeant is Channel 4's favoured choice, but he has been unable to provide a screentest because he is working on Strictly Come Dancing.
"Producers have set their sights on John," said a source. "They were thinking of a younger presenter, but John has a massive fanbase through Strictly.
"He's also a bit of a wag, having been a comedian in his younger years, so would keep things light."
Countdown will return with a new host in early 2009.
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