Vorderman makes last 'Countdown' appearance

Carol Vorderman has made her last appearance on Countdown after 26 years on the show.

The 47-year-old appeared in over 4,500 episodes but announced in July that she planned to step down from the programme.

The episode was preceded by a half-hour tribute to Vorderman, hosted by dictionary corner guest Gyles Brandreth.

Presenter Des O'Connor described her as a "gem and a rock", adding: "We'll all miss you".

Vorderman joined the programme in 1982 as a maths expert. Her initial role was to check contestants' sums in the numbers round but eventually she was promoted to then-host Richard Whiteley's sidekick.

"I would just like to say thank you to all of my friends who are here in the audience," she said.

"I want to say what a complete privilege it has been to work on Countdown. It has been a privilege to meet tens and tens of thousands of you in the street and you all say how much you love Countdown."

Reports had suggested the star was forced to step down after bosses demanded she take a 90% pay cut.

Vorderman will be replaced by 22-year-old Rachel Riley when the new series begins in January. Riley beat off competition from more than 1,000 applicants to land the job.