Stelling: 'There will still be awful puns'

Jeff Stelling has promised that he will maintain the tradition of "awful puns" on Countdown.

The quiz show's new presenter said that his humour would be similar to former hosts Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam and Des O'Connor.

"There will still be the awful puns," he told The Mirror. "I think one of the things that appealed to the producers is the humour - the good, bad and indifferent humour, well, mainly bad!"

Meanwhile, Stelling laughed off claims that he may become a sex symbol for an older generation of viewers.

"I am a sex symbol to the blind and the over-65s," he said. "Who fancies an overweight Geordie sports presenter?

"I am 53, five foot seven and overweight. I am certainly not a sex god - that is never going to happen."

Speaking about the show's legacy, he commented: "There will never be another Richard Whiteley, that's for sure. I would never want to try to replace him in the fans' hearts but I am looking forward to it."