Nick Hewer says Countdown’s production crew have "worked miracles" making everything safe for the show’s return.
The 76-year-old host was back in the hot seat last week when the ITV studio reopened its doors and resumed filming the Channel 4 game show, and Nick has now gone behind-the-scenes to show fans the strict rules for social distancing.
Appearing on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Tuesday (21.07.20), he explained: "People say, ‘When are you coming back! When are you coming back!’
"So it’s wonderful. The production people have worked miracles to make sure that absolutely everything is rock solid safe."
Nick showed fans around the studio, via video link, pointing out the new rules and additions the crew have made to the ‘Countdown’ set in order to keep the cast and contestants one-metre apart following government guidelines.
He continued: "First of all, no live audience but we’re coping OK, actually. It’s great to have an audience there but, for the moment, no live audience.
"Also the contestants have their own stand mics now, which means the sound people won’t have to fit them on.
"This is where the dictionary corner guest now sits. They used to sit right next to Susie, so they can’t hear what she’s about to say."Nick also joked: "Over there, we’ve got Rachel [Riley]. She’s always been slightly distant. So no change there."
What’s more, like most sets, the team will have to do their own hair and make-up prior to filming to reduce the number of people on set, and production will have to follow a new routing system to stop people bumping into each other.
Nick added: "We do our own makeup for instance. There’s a sort of route around the studio – a left and a right lane. They’ve gone to so much trouble, not least because I’m one of those vulnerable people being over 70."