The 77-year-old presenter and the 35-year-old maths whizz have reportedly been butting heads behind the scenes of the Channel 4 show, which created an ‘awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere’.
According to MailOnline, Anne’s ‘grand ways’ were causing a lot of issues, and reports claimed the star turned off Rachel’s microphone on set, as she found her ‘too loud.’
However, in a recent interview with journalist and Boris Johnsons sister Rachel Johnson, the quiz master had nothing but good things to say about Rachel and dictionary expert Susie Dent.
When asked about the ongoing feud, she said: ‘They’re brilliant – both of them actually. Every time I’m astonished how she [Rachel] does that adding up and subtracting – just seconds, absolutely seconds, amazing.’
Anne, who replaced former Apprentice star Nick Hewer on the hit game show, also said: ‘I hope I’m always described as difficult, awkward, tricky, impatient, menopausal, any sort of pejorative, grumpy.’
However when asked about bitchy, she responded saying: ‘Not particularly – hard to please.’
Rachel, who has been taking time out of the programme for maternity leave, addressed the rumoured backstage tension on Lorraine this month.
‘I’ve seen the headlines of feuds escalating – I’ve been on maternity leave for about six to eight weeks,’ she said.
‘[Anne’s] not the cuddliest person in the world, but it’s just a different show now, she’s making it her own.
‘She’s getting some stuff out of the contestants – sometimes it’s barbed, sometimes it’s funny, it’s just got a different flavour.’
The Sun recently reportedly how the pair’s ongoing fall out escalated , with a source quoted as saying: ‘Rachel and Anne had clashed for some time and for Rachel, enough is enough.
‘She has moaned about Anne a number of times and even said she would consider walking away from Countdown if the issues weren’t sorted.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Rachel Riley’s reps for comment.
Countdown airs weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.
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