Channel 4 bosses have announced the new permanent team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown following Sean Lock's death in 2021. The long-standing comic passed away at the age of 58 after quietly battling with cancer for several years.

The beloved entertainer, who was branded "one of Britain's finest comedians," will be replaced by comedian Rob Beckett. The dad-of-three had been a team captain on the original panel show, 8 Out of 10 Cats, from 2005 to 2015, before moving on to its spin-off show, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, which launched in 2012.

Following his death, several big comics have sat in his seat as rotating guest captains, facing off against Jon Richardson's team. Ahead of the 29th series, TV bosses have now confirmed that stand-up comic and TV presenter Beckett will be a permanent captain on the show.

And viewers don't have long to wait to see the new crew on the show, which is set to return to the airwaves this Christmas. Opening up about his new position on the show, Beckett gushed: "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 a great advert to just keep being shit at your job and hope for the best."

Presenter and comedian Judi Love has also been confirmed as a regular returning guest on the show. But this isn't the first time the pair have worked together, previously working on Amazon Prime's Last One Laughing earlier this year, which broke records after becoming one of the streaming platform's most successful shows to date.

Love also confessed her struggles with maths while speaking about her appearance on the upcoming series. She joked: "Have they seen my maths!?" Jimmy will also return as the host, with Rachel Riley on the numbers and Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner.

The new series also boasts a series of hilarious comics who will make guest appearances on the show, including Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed, and comedy legends Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Ryan, and Harriet Kemsley.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown returns this Christmas. Stream or watch live on Channel 4.