Countdown’s Rachel Riley and Susie Dent break their silence over Anne Robinson’s shock exit after feud rumours

COUNTDOWN'S Rachel Riley and Susie Dent have broken their silence on Anne Robinson's shock exit from the show.

Yesterday it was revealed Anne is quitting the Channel 4 programme after just one year.

Her time on the word-based game show was plagued by reports of a rift with Rachel - which the pair have denied.

Susie wrote on Twitter this morning: "Some Countdown news. Wishing Anne all the very best in her new adventures with her grandchildren and beyond."

The post was retweeted by Rachel.

Anne - who announced she's stepping down this summer - admitted she doesn't speak to Rachel or Susie when not filming the 45-minute show.

"I’m not saying I would go on holiday with Rachel Riley, but she is brilliant", Anne told the .

"Absolutely honestly, I do admire her – she is really, really good at what she does, as is Susie Dent. 

"Look, Rachel has just come back from having a baby and she is standing throughout and faultless, whereas I get to sit down.

"She is noisy, yes she and Susie both are – they are a formidable pair those two."

Anne said any question about her leaving because of a rift was "nonsense".

She added: "The way that it’s filmed is so tight that... we don’t have time to talk to each other.

"Between shows we have a ten-minute turn around to get changed. We can go for almost a whole run without doing more than waving to each other from the end of a corridor."

As she announced her departure, Anne insisted she was leaving to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Anne will remain on our screens until the summer.

Channel 4 says her replacement will be announced in due course.