WHEN Colin Murray started in broadcasting 25 years ago he had a goal in mind: to be the host of Countdown. Having become a guest in Dictionary Corner, he got a step closer to that dream when Covid stopped Nick Hewer from travelling and Colin had to fill in.
But when former Apprentice star Nick quit the words and numbers show, and Anne Robinson was drafted in as his replacement, Colin's hopes were dashed.
Which explains why when Anne abruptly left last summer, Colin didn't want to be the stop-gap again.
"I said, no," he revealed. "I couldn't bear the thought of just being a one-night stand again. It would have been professionally heartbreaking.
"I think my words were, 'You've got to give me a run of three months"." The hardball tactic worked and he was made temporary host for several months but felt despondent by January when he hadn't landed the job full-time.
"I was so down when we recorded the first episodes of series 87," he said.
"I thought, if they haven't given it to me now, they're not going to." But everything changed when C4's head of daytime Jo Street rang him.
"And that was it. I've got a two-year contract and in December we got the highest ratings in 10 years," Colin said.
The show attracted explosive headlines during Anne's stint as it was reported she didn't get on with the team, particularly maths whiz Rachel Riley, 37.
Colin, 46, diplomatically says he's never met the former Weakest Link host.
But added: "The atmosphere has changed and that's huge." If morale on the show was low when he took over, it's now fully recovered.
With his boundless enthusiasm, he has even introduced a daily competition for the crew in which everyone guesses the time filming will end. He provides the prize.
Denne historien er fra May 03, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 03, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ATA BHOY BRENDAN
Rodgers vindicated as he proves he can get results away against the big boys
IT WAS A THRILL MEETING OUR ZERO
Last-gasp tackles and headers galore but Trusty insists he loved Hoops' backs-to-the-wall display that earned vital point
ONE MAN AND HIS GOG
Tour with Tynie kitman shows boss Neil scale of task ahead
SLOT STERNUL
Nunez strike makes it 9 out of 9 for Pool
UNAITED FRONT
McGinn: Villa feed off driven Emery
THE RAG AND THRONE MAN
ANDERS HOLCH POVLSEN may carry a name that sounds more like a game changer on the pitch than off it.
TYSON BABY LOSS AGONY
| Fighter's wife suffered miscarriage ahead of Usyk bout
HAZEL'S BAFTA AWARD JOY
Sports broadcaster to receive prestigious gong
Hospital infection mum Gail''suffered too much'
A WOMAN who died after she contracted an infection linked to pigeon droppings \"suffered too much\", her daughter has told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
BRAVE RILEY'S TUMOUR FIGHT
Routine pre-school exam revealed golf ball-sized lump behind his eye