Countdown has gone back to filming after a break due to the coronavirus pandemic - with stringent safety measures in place.
Host Nick Hewer says the makers of the programme had gone to “such trouble” over the safety precautions as his age makes him “vulnerable” to coronavirus.
The 76-year-old host told ITV’s Good Morning Britain it was “great” to be producing new episodes, adding: “Not least because we won’t be bullied on Twitter by people saying ‘When are you coming back?’"
The programme, which has been on Channel 4 since 1982, is now being filmed without a live audience and with social distancing measures on set.
Hewer says: “It’s wonderful and the production people worked miracles to make sure that everything is absolutely rock-solid safe."
There's even a one-way system in place around the studio so people won't come into close contact with each other.
And microphones have been fitted to desks so sound engineers don't have to attach them to the clothing of contestants.
Those appearing on the programme are even doing their own make-up - as is the host.
Hewer said a make-up artist stands two metres away and instructs him as he gets ready to appear on air.
He added that the producers of the programme are playing “catch-up” to try to make enough episodes of the programme.
“We’ve got to get 245 shows under our belt and we have only got 50 this year so far, so we are in a hurry,” he said.
Hewer did not know when the new episodes would air.
