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Susie Dent will be absent from Countdown for the remainder of this week\u2019s episodes, returning on screen on Monday 20th December<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A Channel 4 spokesperson exclusively confirmed the news to RadioTimes.com<\/a>, following Dent\u2019s notable absence earlier this week during Monday\u2019s show.<\/p>\n Viewers were struck by how both Dent and her colleague Rachel Riley were missing from the episode, and while Riley\u2019s absence could be easily explained (the presenter is currently on maternity leave), the same couldn\u2019t be said for Dent.<\/p>\n Countdown host Anne Robinson addressed Dent\u2019s absence during the episode, saying: \u201cAs you can see, Susie\u2019s not here. She\u2019s away having a COVID test.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking to RadioTimes.com<\/strong>, Channel 4 didn\u2019t comment on whether or not Dent had tested positive for COVID-19, although it\u2019s worth noting that Countdown episodes are filmed weeks in advance.<\/p>\n RadioTimes.com<\/strong> has reached out to representatives of Dent for comment.<\/p> During the episode, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon was also introduced as Rachel Riley\u2019s replacement during her maternity leave.<\/p>\n Robinson told viewers: \u201cIn case you didn\u2019t notice, Christmas is coming very fast now and we also have a new arrival, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, she is an amazing whizz-kid at maths and she is keeping the seat warm for Rachel,\u201d before going on to reference Dr Imafidon\u2019s work to promote diversity and inclusivity in STEM subjects.<\/p>\n \u201cAnne-Marie, I know you do amazing social enterprise for young women and non-binary people and it\u2019s encouraging them into the sciences?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Dr Imafidon replied: \u201cYes, you could say that. Into sciences, technical fields, STEM specifically. So, science, technology, engineering, and maths.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for more to watch, check out our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>. Visit our\u00a0Drama<\/a>\u00a0hub for all the latest news.<\/strong><\/p>\n