Maths whiz and TV personality , 39, is taking a short break from the iconic puzzle show , with Dr. Tom Crawford stepping in to fill her shoes.

Rachel, who has become a familiar face on the show since 2009, is temporarily stepping away to work on another project, leaving her number-crunching duties in capable hands.

This marks the first major shake-up in the Countdown team since Colin Murray took over hosting duties from Anne Robinson in 2022.

Stepping into Rachel's role is Dr Tom Crawford, known for his popular YouTube channel "Tom Rocks Maths," which has garnered over 200,000 subscribers and millions of views. His videos aim to make elite mathematics accessible to everyone, often focusing on tips for acing math exams.

Dr Tom isn't just a YouTube sensation; he's also a lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Cambridge's Robinson College and boasts an impressive academic background with a degree from Oxford University.

Known for his unique approach to teaching, he even sports 15 math-themed tattoos, highlighting his passion for the subject.

To gear up for his Countdown debut, Dr Tom spent time learning from Rachel in the studio, preparing to take over her responsibilities until the end of March. He began filming his episodes in December 2024 and will soon be seen on screens alongside regulars Susie Dent and host Colin Murray.

His first appearance promises to be a special one, with Sir Stephen Fry joining him in Dictionary Corner, and celebrities like Jenny Powell and radio presenter Vick Hope making guest appearances.

Last week, Dr Tom excited his followers with a teaser about his new role, later revealing more in a selfie with Rachel in the Countdown studio.

He shared his excitement on social media with flans applauding the move.

"Countdown! Still can't believe this happened, but you will now be able to watch me attempting to do maths live on television for the next three weeks."

While details about her new project are sparse, it's enough to keep her away until the end of March 2025.

She showed her support for Dr Tom on social media, saying: "Best of luck to Dr Tom for the next few weeks on Countdown! Dr Tom will be keeping my numbers warm from Monday for the next three weeks whilst I'm away.

"I had a good excuse, I'll tell you more soon. We're both Oxford maths geeks and ambassadors for National Numeracy, so you'll barely notice the difference. Have fun Tom, and all our lovely viewers, have fun watching!"

Catch the new face of Countdown on , airing weekdays at 2:10 pm.