Cliff Notes – Who is on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown tonight as it returns on Channel 4
- Returning Cast: Jimmy Carr resumes hosting duties, joined by Rachel Riley and Susie Dent, who maintain their roles from Countdown.
- Team Captains: Jon Richardson continues as a team captain, while Sean Lock’s team is now led by a rotation of guest captains following Lock’s passing in 2021.
- Guest Appearances: Tonight’s episode features comedians Richard Ayoade, Amy Gledhill, Guz Khan, and Sam Campbell, showcasing a mix of established and emerging talent.
Who is on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown tonight as it returns on Channel 4?
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is back! After backlash for its presenters Rachel Riley’s pro-genocidal stance on Gaza.
Hit panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown returns to our screens tonight for a new series.
With a cast packed full of comedy stars, Jimmy Carr is back to host once more, alongside Countdown icon and puzzle connoisseur Rachel Riley.
Cats Does Countdown has been airing since 2012 as a crossover between the hugely popular 8 Out of 10 Cats and long-running Channel 4 quiz show Countdown.
In its early days, Jon Richardson and Sean Lock took on team captain roles. Following beloved comedian Lock’s death in 2021, his team has been led by a rotation of guest captains.
With Jon still in the captain’s seat for his team, let’s see who he’ll be joined by tonight.
Where to watch 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown?
Rachel Riley and Susie Dent join returning host Jimmy Carr. But an online petition growing for a boycott.
You can watch the first episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’s 28th series on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.
The episode will then be available on C4’s streaming service of the same name.
New episodes will air weekly in the same slot on Friday nights in the coming weeks.
Who’s in the 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown cast?
Jimmy Carr has been hosting Cats Does Countdown for 13 years, while Rachel Riley and Susie Dent assume the same roles as they perform on Countdown—Rachel placing letter tiles on the board and offering solutions, and Susie in Dictionary Corner.
Tonight, they’ll be accompanied by:
Jon Richardson
Jon Richardson has been a team captain since series 1
Stand-up performer Jon has been part of the Cats Does Countdown family since series 1, having also been a regular team captain on original panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, which aired from 2005 to 2021.
The 42-year-old Lancashire-born star is also known for hosting on BBC Radio 6 and starring with now ex-wife Lucy Beaumont in Meet the Richardsons. They announced their separation last year.
In April 2025, Jon stunned fans by revealing he would be retiring from comedy to pursue his childhood dream of teaching.
However, he later announced that it was simply an April Fool’s gag, and he was actually joining the cast of school-based drama Waterloo Road.
Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade (centre) is best known for his comedy and appearing in The IT Crowd.
Comedian, writer, and actor Richard Ayoade is most famous for playing Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, a role for which he won a Bafta in 2014.
Nowadays, he’s a frequent face on the panel show scene, with recurring appearances on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, has hosted Have I Got News For You, and most recently took part in the hit Amazon Prime reality show Last One Laughing.
Amy Gledhill
Amy Gledhill has been performing stand-up for over 10 years.
Amy Gledhill has been a regular on the stand-up scene since 2012. Being the youngest of seven siblings, she often uses this for inspiration in her routines.
She’s been nominated at the National Comedy Awards, as well as for a best newcomer gong at the Edinburgh Fringe, and, as well as performing solo, is one half of the duo The Delightful Sausage alongside Chris Cantrill.
Guz Khan
Guz Khan had a hit viral video in 2015
Guz Khan, 39, is known for his TV appearances on Taskmaster, Man Like Mobeen, and Our Flag Means Death. He’s also done stand-up on Live at the Apollo.
You might also know him from his viral video fame. In June 2015, as his character Mobeen, Guz made a vid feigning outrage at the lead character, Pachycephalosaurus, in the Jurassic World movie.
It was watched by hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of days and led to Guz being interviewed by radio stations in the US and Indonesia.
Sam Campbell
Sam Campbell is an award-winning comic.
Sam Campbell is an Australian comic and actor. He built a comedy career for himself Down Under before moving to the UK in 2022.
That same year, Sam, in his early thirties, won the main prize at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, going on to receive a string of nominations at the Chortle Awards. This included him being voted the Comedian’s Comedian by his peers.
In 2023, he won the 16th series of Taskmaster and, in 2024, began co-hosting Lucy & Sam’s Perfect Brains podcast with Lucy Beaumont.
Watch 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.