I have to be honest Debz I hardly watch it now - surprisingly nothing to do with Des Lynham and everything to do with Carol. Giving her more 'input' doesn't work for me. I know it's all rehearsed but it's not supposed to be that obvious and it's annoying.
Oh god yes Joe Pasquale would be as watery as Des O'Connor!!! I like Les Dennis but I think he would be wrong.
I think you need someone comfortable, slightly bumbling and a bit quirky and quite witty..basically we need Richard back!!! As there is no chance of that, I can't at the moment think of anyone I would prefer more than Tom O'Connor.
He's got a very warm smooth manner without being slimy and too 'showmanlike' and he doesn't grate on my nerves - that is a major achievement i can tell you!!!

But as i say it's irrelevent as I hardly watch it now. I will be very surprised if Countdown is still going in a few years time.
For a start i think it's a programme that people love because of its familiarity. If they get the right host now it will have to be someone who is willing to stay for the long haul.
I know it's a massive salary but to be frank it would bore me rigid to do that job for any length of time, which is basically i think the truth of what happened with Des.
***********************
"Take yer tongue outta my mouth 'cos I'm kissin' ya goodbye!!"

"Yer my kinda woman; seriously, yer are!!!"
"And now it's time for me to play my organ"

"They've only come in for a warm!"
"Sittin' on the bog smokin' yer woodies and readin' yer paper!"
"Never mind 'aahh' - wait til yer see 'im draggin' a pensioner round the stage by the hem of 'er mac!"

"Yer not only barkin' up the wrong tree, yer in the wrong forest"
"He's full of 'imself. He's just 'ad a dust up in the corridor with the Blue Peter dog. Seriously. Slaughtered it!"