Rachel Riley MBE

Rachel Riley is the numbers expert on Channel 4’s long running quiz show Countdown and on hit comedy show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She has also been a host on Channel 5’s The Gadget Show, ITV’s It’s Not Rocket Science and guest hosts on Scala Radio.

Her first book At Sixes and Sevens, published in 2022, is a quirky guide to improving adults’ maths skills and was inspired by many parents reaching out to her during lockdown, struggling with home schooling.

An avid Manchester United fan, Rachel has presented Fantasy Football Club and Friday Night Football on Sky Sports and has made guest appearances on numerous sports shows. Rachel is involved with the Premier League’s Primary Stars and is also a Global Ambassador for Grassroots Soccer. Both roles use the power of football to promote education, skills and ambition in children. She is particularly passionate about getting young people, girls in particular, involved in STEM subjects and has championed a number of National Numeracy initiatives.
Rachel has recently been at the forefront of the campaign against antisemitism after being targeted on social media. She delivered a speech at the Holocaust Educational Trust in Parliament which was subsequently published in The Times. In 2023, she was awarded an MBE for her services to Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness.

Headshot Credit: Alan Strutt