Anne Robinson will be replaced by Colin Murray on Countdown – who is already filming episodes

ANNE Robinson is tipped to be replaced as Countdown host by Colin Murray - who "gets on really well" with her ex co-star Rachel Riley.

The Weakest Link presenter, 77, quit the tea-time Channel 4 series after just a year in the hot seat - months after The Sun revealed her feud with co-star Rachel.

Now Colin will host the famous game show on a temporary basis.

Richard Osman was originally touted as Anne's replacement, after he quit BBC quiz show Pointless in April.

Yet after he ruled himself out of the running, radio DJ Colin could make his stand-in stint permanent.

A Channel 4 spokesperson exclusively told The Sun Online: "Colin started filming on set in Salford yesterday.

"He will be in the show until late Autumn."

A source close to the show also told the : "Colin has agreed to be a stand-in host for us, which is brilliant news.

"He knows the team and gets on really well with Rachel, they are good friends off screen.

"No one knows what is going to happen beyond the autumn in terms of hosting, but if Colin does want the job, he is in the right place to show why he should get it."

Colin currently hosts his own radio show on BBC Five Live.

Meanwhile Anne announced she would be leaving Countdown this month

The TV star - who was the sixth host of the Channel 4 quiz show - told the : "I've had a blast hosting this wonderful show.

"And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.

"I hope too I've encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.

"In fact the genius of Countdown is that it's a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week.

"And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.

"But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention."

Anne will remain on our screens until the summer.

We revealed in November that Anne clashed with maths whizz Rachel, 35, over dressing rooms, make-up artists and wardrobe budgets backstage.

Channel 4 declined to comment at the time, but Anne later admitted: "I'm hard to please".

The Channel 4 spokesperson added there has been no decision as yet regarding a permanent host.

The Sun Online has gone to Colin's reps for comment.