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BRAINBOX beauty Rachel Riley has revealed she has never spoken to Carol Vorderman, the maths whizz she replaced on Countdown.

The TV babes are both regulars at showbiz parties but in eight years they have never once bumped into each other.

Carol, pictured inset with former host Richard Whiteley, quit as the show’s resident maths genius in a row over pay in 2008 after 26 years. Bosses then hired Rachel.

Rachel, 31, said: “I’ve still not spoken to Carol. I’ve never actually met her. I don’t know how our paths haven’t crossed in all this time.

“She was brilliant on Countdown. I used to watch her on it when I was a kid. It would always be on when I got home from school.

“So I’ve got nothing but respect for her. I’m sure our paths will cross one day.

“I wouldn’t ask her for presenting tips though…I think that would be patronising. But I also think with any job when you take over from someone you’ve just got to be yourself.

“There’s no other way you can be. I’m just lucky because I’ve a great team around to guide me through it.”

Essex-born Rachel joined Countdown at the same time as Jeff Stelling took over as its main host. And she credits him for helping her to learn the ropes and become a telly pro.

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