Vorderman records final Countdown

Carol Vorderman is best known for her skills with numbers

Carol Vorderman has recorded her final Countdown show, 26 years after she started working on the Channel 4 show.

The 47-year-old, who co-hosts the words and numbers quiz, said there had been a "lot of laughs" as well as tears filming the final show.

Vorderman is leaving after she revealed producers wanted her to take a 90% pay cut to remain on the show.

Current host Des O'Connor, 76, is also leaving. Their final show can be seen on 12 December.

A special tribute episode of the show, hosted by Countdown regular Gyles Brandreth, has also been recorded.

It is thought it will include clips of bloopers, memories and special guests.

Vorderman said she had "mixed emotions" about leaving and would "miss everybody deeply".

"I'm a lucky old bird to be adding up for 26 years," she said. "We had a lot of laughs."

The presenter also paid tribute to her late colleague and friend Richard Whiteley, who hosted Countdown for 23 years, as well as O'Connor and previous host Des Lynam.

A spokeswoman for Countdown thanked Vorderman and O'Connor.

She said: "We would like to thank Carol for her fantastic contribution to the programme.

"We wish her and Des all the best for the future."

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