8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is set for a refresh with a permanent new captain and a new regular returning guest.
The show, currently being filmed at MediaCity’s dock10 studios will see Rob Beckett become the new captain, with Judi Love also joining the ensemble.
“I’m buzzing to be a new team captain on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown,” said Beckett.
“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 sh*t at your job and hope for the best.”
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Love added:
“To be asked to be a new regular on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is a huge honour, but have they seen my maths!? I know this is going to be full of love, spelling mistakes and a whole lotta laughs. I can’t wait to get started!”
The show was intended as a one-off special, as part of a Channel 4 mash-up of programmes back in 2012. Now in 2025, they’re filming Series 29, including a Christmas special – where the new line-up will be revealed for the first time.
Jon Richardson and Joe Wilkinson will also continue appearing as regulars in the new series. Guests will include Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Ryan, Harriet Kemsley, Richard Ayoade, Morgana Robinson, Nick Mohammed and Roisin Conaty.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is commissioned for Channel 4 by Cimran Shah, Commissioning Editor for Reality & Entertainment, Katie Buckley, Assistant Editor, and Steven Handley, Head of Reality & Entertainment.
“Cats Does Countdown continues to bring Channel 4’s comedy-loving audience together, whether on broadcast or with its hugely popular classic footage online. We will keep the laughs coming in these new episodes,” said Channel 4’s Katie Buckley
The series is produced by Zeppotron, part of Banijay UK, and Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios.
Executive Producers are Richard Cohen and Ruth Phillips for Zeppotron and Barry Hart for Lifted Entertainment.
