Rob Beckett has been named as a permanent team captain of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown as filming proceeds on the 29th series.

Judi Love will also join  the ensemble as a regular returning guest in a similar way that Celebrity Traitors star Joe Wilkinson makes frequent appearances.

Wilkinson will return as part of the core team in the new series, as will Jon Richardson, host Jimmy Carr and words and numbers experts Susie Dent and Rachel Riley.

Cats Does Countdown began life in 2012 as a one-off special with Richardson and Sean Lock as team captains – and has now aired more than 160 episodes. 

A number of guest team captains have taken Lock’s place since his death in 2021 and Beckett said today: ‘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 great advert to just keep being shit at your job and hope for the best.’

Beckett has made more than 12 appearances on the show and has previously been a team captain on the original 8 Out Of 10 Cats panel show on E4.

Meanwhile, Love said: ‘To be asked to be a new regular on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown is a huge honour, but have they seen my maths!? I know this is going to be full of love, spelling mistakes and a whole lotta laughs. I can't wait to get started!’

News of the new line-up was first reported by the British Comedy Guide, which also revealed that guests in the upcoming series include Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Ryan, Harriet Kemsley, Richard Ayoade, Morgana Robinson, Nick Mohammed and Roisin Conaty.

The series featuring the new ensemble will kick off with a Christmas special next month.