Countdown's Susie Dent BLUSHES at awkward throwback clip celebrating 25 YEARS on show
TODAY saw a special day on Countdown as they celebrated lexicographer Susie Dent's 25th anniversary on the show.
Countdown broadcast Susie Dent's FIRST appearance
The 52-year-old Channel 4 favourite cringed as Dictionary Corner guest and broadcaster Colin Murray, 40, introduced a surprise clip of her first ever appearance on the gameshow, 25 years ago today.
The clip showed Susie looking fresh-faced and slightly nervous as she was welcomed by former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.
Watching the video on the screen in the studio, Susie covered her face in shock.
The audience cheered as the clip came to an end and Colin continued: "Now Susie, you probably aren't' aware of this but this is 25 years to the day of your first appearance on Countdown, 25 years as the guardian of the dictionary."
As Susie blushed, Colin went on: "We couldn't let it pass. I've been charged with marking the occasion, which is why you might have noticed I had no notes on the table for my anecdote today.
"We want to pay tribute together to the wonderful Susie," he said, before embarking on an adorable poem as an ode to the Countdown stalwart.
You wow us all the time with your origins of words. If Stephen Fry is King, you're the Queen of the nerds
“Twenty five years of Susie Dent, my goodness, think of the money we've spent," he quipped. "We could have bought better chairs or a gold-plated clock, paid Nick double money or bought Rachel Riley new frocks!
"You wow us all the time with your origins of words. If Stephen Fry is King, you're the Queen of the nerds," the poem read.
The throwback clip and tribute sent Susie's fans flooding to social media to wish her a happy anniversary on the show as they marvelled at her youthful appearance.
"Wow 25 years? You don't look old enough," said one viewer. "We have enjoyed every minute Susie thank you!"
"Congratulations on 25 years of Countdown, didn't realise I'd fancied you for so long," tweeted another, while a third added: "25 years since @susie_dent joined Countdown! Amazing and she doesn't look a day older than when she started."
The episode wrapped up with Rachel Riley presenting Susie with a huge bouquet of flowers as the team thanked her for her ongoing role on the show.
Countdown airs weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.