Anne Robinson, 76, laughs off amazing pre-surgery 1987 Countdown throwback

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She’s a British television legend.

And an amazing throwback of Anne Robinson, 76, was featured on Monday’s episode of Countdown as she made her debut as the show’s new host.

The Channel 4 programme opened with a clip of Anne when she made an appearance in 1987 while the late Richard Whiteley was presenting, showing her pre-surgery appearance.

Anne, who has been very open about her face lift, looked very different in 1987

Transformative: Anne Robinson, 76, laughed off an amazing Countdown throwback of her first appearance in 1987 on Monday’s episode of as she made her debut as the show’s new host

Anne could be seen in the clip wearing a red jumper while sporting a very 80s hairdo.

She said of her past style on Monday: ‘Yeah, not my first appearance. If you’re trying to work it out, that was 1987 and the clue was my hair do.

‘Bay City Rollers, very Bay City Rollers.’

A sign of the times: Anne could be seen in the clip wearing a red jumper while sporting a very 80s hairdo while she said she'd been practicing her maths skills in preparation

A sign of the times: Anne could be seen in the clip wearing a red jumper while sporting a very 80s hairdo while she said she’d been practicing her maths skills in preparation

Familiar face: Anne appeared as a player on the game show while the late Richard Whiteley, who died in 2005, was hosting the programme

Familiar face: Anne appeared as a player on the game show while the late Richard Whiteley, who died in 2005, was hosting the programme

The television presenter then tells arithmetic whiz Rachel Riley, 35: ‘I reckon you were one year old when that was on.’

Rachel chimed back: ‘You have been practicing your maths haven’t you?’

Anne has been very open about her plastic surgery in the past, joking in February when it was revealed she’d be joining Countdown that there was no time for a nip and tuck before filming started.

Unbelievable: Rachel, 35, joked that Anne had been practicing her maths when the host pointed out the numbers whiz was one year old when Anne first appeared on Countdown

Unbelievable: Rachel, 35, joked that Anne had been practicing her maths when the host pointed out the numbers whiz was one year old when Anne first appeared on Countdown

She said at the time: ‘I am beyond thrilled to be joining Countdown. The show is almost as old as I am and just as historic.

‘I am particularly excited to be working alongside the show’s two other formidable women.’

Referencing Rachel and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, Anne added: ‘Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me.

Trio: Referencing Rachel and lexicographer Susie, 56, Anne, said: 'Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me'

Trio: Referencing Rachel and lexicographer Susie, 56, Anne, said: ‘Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me’

‘Sadly, there’s no time for another facelift so I’ll have make do with this old one.’

Anne made her debut as the new host of Countdown on Monday to a warm reception from fans of the show.

The presenter admitted ahead of the episode that she had been ‘nervous’, and while some viewers picked up on this, they seemed impressed overall.

And Anne won round any naysayers at the end of the episode when she closed the show with her trademark wink while saying ‘goodbye’.

Wink wink! Countdown fans rejoiced as new host Anne Robinson signed off her first episode with her trademark goodbye wink at the end of the show

Wink wink! Countdown fans rejoiced as new host Anne Robinson signed off her first episode with her trademark goodbye wink at the end of the show

Made famous during her stint as the ‘queen of mean’ on The Weakest Link, Anne’s wink appeared to be the only quirk she was bringing with her to Countdown, exuding a notably softer side for the tea-time quiz.

Fans took to Twitter to comment on the Points Of View host’s premiere appearance.

One penned: ‘I’m so relieved that Anne Robinson did her trademark wink at the end of #Countdown!’

A second agreed: ‘Anne putting that legendary wink in at the end there. Well done Anne a great first show see you tomorrow #Countdown!’

There it is: Made famous during her stint as the 'queen of mean' on The Weakest Link [pictured], Anne's wink appeared to be the only quirk she was bringing with her to Countdown, exuding a notably softer side for the tea-time quiz

There it is: Made famous during her stint as the ‘queen of mean’ on The Weakest Link [pictured], Anne’s wink appeared to be the only quirk she was bringing with her to Countdown, exuding a notably softer side for the tea-time quiz

A third wrote: ‘… don’t do the wink … don’t do the wink … don’t do the wink … s**t, she did the wink …’ 

Another penned: ‘She did her famous goodbye wink! Never watched #Countdown with Nick but Anne was brilliant!’

Anne has made history as the first female main host of the show, taking over from Nick Hewer, who served as the presenter for 10 years.

Wink and you'll miss it: Fans took to Twitter to comment on the Points Of View host's premiere appearance

Wink and you’ll miss it: Fans took to Twitter to comment on the Points Of View host’s premiere appearance

Anne joins lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley, both of whom welcomed her warmly to proceedings and told her she’d done a great job on her first episode.

Viewers tended to agree, with one penning: ‘A pretty sound start from Anne Robinson!’

Another agreed: ‘I must say she’s doing a good job of it so far!’

Another joked that she’d settled in ‘too well’, typing: ‘Anne Robinson’s not quite her usual lively self, is she? She’s settled into the comfy chair a little “too” well! They could do with changing the set so she looks like she’s sat by a roaring fire. Maybe give her a cat on her lap.’

'I was very nervous, you always are if you're doing a new show!' Anne appeared on Lorraine on Monday and admitted she had felt anxious filming the first few episodes of the show

‘I was very nervous, you always are if you’re doing a new show!’ Anne appeared on Lorraine on Monday and admitted she had felt anxious filming the first few episodes of the show

Flashback: Anne was a Dictionary Corner guest in April 1987

Flashback: Anne was a Dictionary Corner guest in April 1987

Others noted she was nervous, with one posting: ‘You can tell Anne is very nervous. I hope Anne does get into her own swing of things!’

Anne appeared on Lorraine on Monday and admitted she had felt anxious filming the first few episodes of the show. 

She said: ‘I’ve filmed some of the shows and I think I’m quite nervous on today’s and tomorrow’s. I think I get into the groove on about Wednesday. I was very nervous, you always are if you’re doing a new show.

‘What was thrilling was quite a few of the contestants were great, great, fun and at times it was just like doing The Weakest Link.’

Outgoing: Anne has made history as the first female main host of the show, taking over from Nick Hewer, who served as the presenter for 10 years

Outgoing: Anne has made history as the first female main host of the show, taking over from Nick Hewer, who served as the presenter for 10 years

Incoming: Anne joins lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley, both of whom welcomed her warmly to proceedings and told her she'd done a great job on her first episode

Incoming: Anne joins lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley, both of whom welcomed her warmly to proceedings and told her she’d done a great job on her first episode

Despite her show nerves, Anne didn’t hesitate in accepting Channel 4 bosses’ offer to take over from Nick on the programme.

‘They asked me and I didn’t even take 30 seconds to say, “Yeah, that’s great, that’s exactly what I want to do”. First of all, I’m sitting down. All those years I had to stand up.

‘It’s cerebral, it’s very authentic. It hasn’t changed over the years to make it up-to-date.’

Countdown continues on Channel 4 at 2:10PM on weekdays.