Klass is bookies' bet to be next Countdown host

London, July 28 : Punters in the UK are betting that Myleene Klass will be the new Countdown host, after Carol Vorderman stepped down.

And, they're rating Klass' chances at a healthy 12-1 odds.

William Hill spokes-man confirmed that Klass was proving to be the favourite among bookies for the job.

"Carol will be a very hard act to follow as a number cruncher but Myleene is attracting the smart money," the Daily Star quoted the spokesman, as saying.

Others in the running are Anthea Turner, 48, Ulrika Jonsson, 40, and former newsreader Angela Rippon, 63.

It is believed that Vorderman decided to quit after producers of the Channel 4 gameshow gave her an ultimatum to either take a 90percent wage cut or resign.

Carol, 47, who was with the show for a whopping 26 years, decided that quitting, would be the best option.

She said: "I am devastated my joyous time with one of the best programmes on TV has ended in this way. I am so upset and I can't believe they have done this to me. It was obvious they wanted me out."

ANI