Jeff Stelling quits Countdown

Jeff Stelling is quitting the Channel 4 show, Countdown.

Jeff has been presenting the daytime quiz show since January 2009.

In a telephone interview with Oasis FM in Tenerife, Jeff said: “I’ll give you a little world exclusive, because I’m doing the Champions League for Sky next season, I’ve actually resigned from Countdown and I’ll be finishing at the end of December.

“You’ve got to really have your priorities and my priority is football, I love it and Soccer Saturday so I’ve committed myself very much to that next season.”

Jeff is the third presenter to quit the show since Richard Whiteley, who hosted the show from 1982 till his sudden death in 2005.

Des Lyham quit after 18 months blaming the travel to the Leeds studio and Des O’Connor lasted just over a year saying he missed performing live.

Channel 4 spokesman said: “Jeff will continue to present Countdown until the end of the year. He’s had a brilliant 3 years on the show and we’re sad to see him go.

“We’re already talking to a number of people to find a replacement.”