Fans praised Les Dennis for his guest hosting skills on Countdown on Thursday, after Anne Robinson left the show earlier this month.  

TV presenter Anne, 77, announced she would be leaving the Channel 4 show earlier this year after joining in June 2021. 

And Family Fortune's Les, 68, who hosted the show between 1987 and 2002, has taken his return to the helm in his stride with many viewers saying he should be given the full-time post. 

Colin Murray had been temporarily hosting the show, but was forced to pull out this week after he tested positive for coronavirus - leaving Les to fill in until August 15.

One fan wrote of Les hosting the show: 'Strongly believe @LesDennis should do this full-time!'

Another added: 'Can you stay as host, best show for ages.'

Someone else posted: 'Les I thought you were brilliant, exactly what the show needs from a host. Give him the gig guys, you know it makes sense!'

A fourth tweeted: 'Really enjoy watching you host, @LesDennis. Hope to see more of you in the chair in the future'

While a fifth commented: 'Les Dennis is a refreshing change of host, although temporary. I wish he could stay for a long time - he's great!'

The former Family Fortunes presenter was joined by Rachel Riley, Susie Dent and Coronation Street's Daniel Brocklebank on Thursday's episode. 

Announcing his new role as a guest host recently, Les posted on Twitter: 'From 4th August until 15th I shall be hosting the iconic @C4Countdown. It is such an honour. Hope you enjoy.'

Les, who is well known for playing Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street, is also set to join the cast of the smash hit show Only Fools and Horses: The Musical later this year.

Fan-favourite Colin has temporarily been drafted in to cover Anne for the end of the year, with Les stepping up for the month of August.

It comes after it was revealed that Anne was leaving the show after just one year in May by The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff, and Anne has since said she quit over a pay dispute. 

Anne became the sixth Countdown presenter and the first female to take the role when she joined the series last year.

Announcing her exit, she said: '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.'

She added: '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.'

She finished by saying: '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.'

It has been claimed the cast of Countdown were 'relieved' Anne was leaving after reports of an on-set feud with Rachel Riley - who Anne reportedly found 'too noisy' - and Susie Dent.

Rachel, 36, seemingly made a swipe at her former co-star as she took to Instagram on recently to share a cryptic post.

The TV presenter shared a selfie of herself sporting a strawberry-print dress and flashing a huge grin as she enjoyed a glass of wine at home.

Alongside the photograph, she made a thinly veiled swipe at Anne as she wrote that she was 'toasting' the 'next chapter in Countdown's history'.

She penned: 'Drinking a toast to the next chapter in Countdown's history… I think you're going to like it!'

Anne took over as host from Nick Hewer, 78, who presented from 2012 and made more of a statement as he departed the game show, saying it had been a 'pleasure' working with co-presenter Rachel Riley and Dictionary Corner's Susie Dent.

It's also seen Richard Whiteley host, who was the show's original host and was on it for 23 years until his death in 2005.

Countdown airs weekdays at 2:10pm on Channel 4.