Charlotte Minter
Published November 27, 2025 11:00am
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Rob Beckett has said that it’s an ‘honour’ to follow Sean Lock on the show (Picture: Channel 4)
Key Points
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- Rob Beckett has become a permanent team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown after Sean Lock’s death
- Judi Love has also been announced as a regular guest for the new series, alongside returning host Jimmy Carr
- The new series premieres this Christmas on Channel 4, featuring celebrity guests including Nick Mohammed and Katherine Ryan
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has announced the first new permanent team captain since Sean Lock’s death, with Rob Beckett taking on the role.
In 2021, Lock died aged 58 after suffering from cancer.
The beloved entertainer, who was remembered as ‘one of Britain’s finest comedians’, had been a team captain on the panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats from 2005 until 2015, and on its spin-off 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown since its inception in 2012.
Following his death, big names in comedy have appeared as rotating guest captains, going up against Jon Richardson’s team.
As the 29th series goes into production, Channel 4 has now confirmed that stand-up comic and TV presenter Beckett will be a permanent captain on the programme.
Viewers won’t have to wait too long to see the new crew in action as it returns this Christmas.
The original cast was made up of Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr and Jon Richardson (Picture: Matt Squire/Channel 4)
The comedian is also a regular on A League of Their Own (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Speaking about his new position on the hit Channel 4 show, Beckett said: ‘To follow the legend that is Sean Lock is a huge honour and privilege.
‘I promise to do my very best to give Jimmy Carr as many digs as possible whilst annihilating Jon Richardson at maths and spelling.
‘I also think it’s a great day for people that can’t count or spell.
‘To go from the worst Countdown player of all time to team captain is great advert to just keep being shit at your job and hope for the best.’
Presenter and comedian Judi Love has also been announced as a regular returning guest. The pair of them were on Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing earlier this year, which broke records after becoming one of the streaming platform’s biggest hits ever.
Judi Love first appeared on Loose Women in 2020 (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Jimmy Carr, Susie Dent and Rachel Riley will be back (Picture: Matt Squire/Channel 4)
Love also made comments about her mathematical skills while speaking about the upcoming series: ‘Have they seen my maths!?’, she joked.
Jimmy Carr will return as host, with Rachel Riley and Susie Dent on the numbers and letters.
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In addition to his new permanent role on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Beckett hosts a podcast with his friend and fellow comedian, Josh Widdicombe, called Parenting Hell, where the two discuss the trials and tribulations of being parents.
He has also appeared on TV programmes including A League of Their Own, Mock The Week, Taskmaster, Rob & Romesh Vs… and he narrates Celebs Go Dating.
The new series of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown isn’t short of funny names who will appear as guests, with the line-up including Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed, and comedy legends Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Ryan and Harriet Kemsley.
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8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown returns this Christmas. Stream or watch on Channel 4.
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