RICHARD Osman appears to have ruled himself out of the running to become the new Countdown host.

Osman has been installed as the favourite to replace Anne Robinson by bookies following her announcement earlier this week she is stepping down from the show.

She said she wanted to give her grand-children, garden and home in New York ‘more attention’.

Osman, who is from Billericay, has been quick to respond to suggestions he is in the running to takeover, listing three reasons particular reasons why he won’t be putting his name forward.

In a tongue-in-cheek response on Twitter, he wrote: “I keep reading I'm the favourite to be the new Countdown host.

“But there are three problems.

“1. I just gave up a show I love because I have no time.

“2. Susie Dent and I are mortal enemies.

“3. They should give the job to Colin Murray.”

Read more >> Richard Osman quits Pointless aftfer 13 years on show

Osman announced last month he was stepping down from his role on the BBC’s quiz show Pointless.

He did however confirm he would still be involved with special celebrity episodes of the show.

Southend’s Rachel Riley responded to Osman’s tweet, jokingly showing her support for his reasoning.

She said: “(Reason) 2 is definitely true, I once heard Susie and Richard doing what I can only assume was Krav Maga.

“Never mess with Susie D people, never.”

Last year, Riley was forced to dismiss reports of a “feud” between her and co-star Robinson, telling ITV’s Lorraine: “You know not to believe tabloids.

"I think it is just you have got some women there now so they want to make something up.

“I have seen all the headlines of the feuds escalating. I have been on maternity leave for about six to eight weeks or something.”

Speaking about Robinson’s famously icy public persona, Riley told Lorraine Kelly: “She is not the cuddliest person in the world.

"It is just a different show now. She is making it her own.

“She is getting stuff out of the contestants.

"Sometimes it is barbed, sometimes it is funny. She has got a different flavour.”