Des O'ConnorDes O'ConnorDes O'Connor has been named the new host of Channel 4's Countdown...

Replacing anchor Des Lynam, who quit the show in September.

Des, 74, will join current maths genius Carol Vorderman on the show.

He is expected to sign his contract later this week.

A source told The Daily Mirror: "Carol is thrilled. Des has just the right chemistry with her, which is the most important thing."

The other Des - of the Lynam variety - quit just after 18-months on the job...

He insisted it was the lengthy commute from London to Leeds to blame.

Fact: Countdown was the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982.