2 huge comedy names join 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown as regulars
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has begun production with an updated roster: Rob Beckett steps into the full-time team captain role, and Judi Love joins as a regular returning guest for the show’s 29th series. Fan favourites Jon Richardson and Joe Wilkinson will remain as recurring contributors.
Jimmy Carr is back to present the anarchic comedy take on Channel 4’s classic puzzle show, joined once again by Rachel Riley handling the numbers and Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner. Filming for Series 29 is underway and will feature a 2025 Christmas special—the first episode showcasing the entire refreshed cast together.
Rob Beckett says: “I'm buzzing to be a new team captain on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 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.”
Judi Love adds: “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 upcoming series will welcome guests such as Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Ryan, Harriet Kemsley, Richard Ayoade, Morgana Robinson, Nick Mohammed and Roisin Conaty.
Originally introduced in 2012 as a one-off special featuring iconic captains Jon Richardson and Sean Lock, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has grown into a staple of Channel 4’s comedy offering. More than 160 episodes have aired, and memorable highlights—from Joe Lycett’s famous complaint letters to the beloved “Carrot in a Box”—have amassed hundreds of millions of YouTube views on Channel 4 Entertainment.
The new season is commissioned for Channel 4 by Cimran Shah, Commissioning Editor for Reality & Entertainment, alongside Katie Buckley, Assistant Editor, and Steven Handley, Head of Reality & Entertainment. Production is handled by Zeppotron, a Banijay UK company, and Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, with Richard Cohen and Ruth Phillips serving as Executive Producers for Zeppotron and Barry Hart for Lifted Entertainment.
Channel 4’s Katie Buckley says: “‘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.”
Cimran Shah of Channel 4 adds: “It's a genuine joy to work with the super skilled Zeppotron team as much as it is to watch this hilarious show. We’re so pleased to continue our commitment to the programme and bring in the inimitable comedic talents of Rob Beckett and Judi Love to this consistently funny series.”
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown returns this Christmas, available to watch or stream on Channel 4.