Rachel Riley on Football, TV Stardom, and the Highs & Lows of COUNTDOWN!

Rachel Riley, the brilliant mind behind Countdown, has gained some powerful life lessons along the way. Starting her TV career at just 22, Rachel faced the pressures of the spotlight head-on. With the help of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), she learned to break free from perfectionism, shifting her focus from obsessing over mistakes to celebrating her successes and learning from challenges. Her approach to life is all about embracing growth, knowing that the best lessons often come from taking risks and making mistakes.
A profound turning point came in Rachel’s life after a huge loss. This experience gave her a new perspective, driving her to focus on what truly matters: family, health, and making the most of every moment. For Rachel, failure isn’t something to fear-it’s a stepping stone to growth. She’s a big believer in pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, because that’s where the real learning happens.
Rachel's passion for making a difference goes far beyond the screen. In 2023, she was awarded an MBE for her dedication to Holocaust education, bravely standing up for important causes. At home, she’s just as inspiring, opening her doors to Ukrainian refugees and instilling values of kindness and compassion in her children. For Rachel, success is about more than fame-it’s about living a meaningful, balanced life, surrounded by family and making a lasting impact on the world.
Rachel hosts the UK’s Biggest Business event from the 2nd-4th April 2025 in Farnborough. Book your spot now to learn from Global Thought Leaders and Industry Pioneers, and take a positive step towards making 2025 your best year yet:
thebizx.co.uk/
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[@seanshaw8321]

Rachael is such a delight, smart, funny and down to earth, and that smile

[@macostello]

I adore Rachel Riley! And this interview is just fantastic. She has a marvelous take on life and tremendous critical thinking skills.

[@jasontanner9720]

Rachel Riley is a fantastic guest.

[@neilmartinactioncoach]

"Ignore the voices that aren't important". So simple and so true!

[@blrbrazil1718]

What a delightful person Rachel is!

[@brendonmadden-smith]

a bit racist though

[@blrbrazil1718]

@@brendonmadden-smith: How on earth do you come to that conclusion?

[@brendonmadden-smith]

@@blrbrazil1718 her tweet when the stabbing in Australia occurred was a giveaway

[@blrbrazil1718]

@@brendonmadden-smith: I don't see it that way at all. Her explanation was as follows: "“At the time we did not know who the attacker was, and as such I made no reference." “My aim was to highlight the weekly calls for ‘intifada’ being tolerated in London and around the world, which in actuality means violence on our streets." “For six months now, I have avoided taking the tube, or going with my kids to anywhere near the marches each Saturday, and each week we see the extremist chants on proud display with little outcry." “Sadly, the type of attack seen in Sydney yesterday is exactly the kind of violence the previous intifada involved and I hope to avoid in future, but in my opinion ignoring the problem won’t make it go away." “Attacks on Jews have recently become repackaged as ‘resistance’ in some circles, and we should in one voice condemn all acts of violence, whoever the perpetrators and whoever the victims." “I am sorry if this message was misunderstood, that was not my intention.”"

[@brendonmadden-smith]

@blrbrazil1718 so she had no reliable information on the attacker and his motivation, but felt quite comfortable in saying - "For six months now, people have been out on our streets proudly calling for the ‘Intifada Revolution’. If you want to know what ‘Globalised Intifada’ looks like, see the Sydney Mall.” She added: “Five victims stabbed to death and eight transferred to hospital, including a baby, due to one man and a knife. “In the second intifada over 1,000 Israelis were murdered in restaurants, on buses and in the streets by suicide bombings, stabbings, stoning, lynching, shooting rockets. The youngest victim was just nine hours old."

[@DaveMcIroy]

Finally a full interview with her.

[@eilsmile8732]

“Own what goes well” what sage advice 😊

[@sofakingfunnygirl]

Love her so classy

[@sosguy1893]

Charming, super smart and just a great woman and role model for young girls.

[@WhippetNose]

Why is she a good role model?

[@sosguy1893]

@@WhippetNose She values family, helps immigrant family and shows that intelligence is a abetter asset than cheap flashy lifestyle.

[@WhippetNose]

@@sosguy1893 so the half naked stuff is cool then? And the faux victim status?

Own the things that go well! Love Rachel’s slant on perfectionism

[@niguel4438]

Such a lovely, bright young lady.

[@peterstone5356]

If I didn't have a great big crush on Rachel from 8 out of Ten Cats, then this interview has just knocked it out of the park.

[@timsecord8207]

Such an incredibly intelligent, kind and beautiful human being!❤🇨🇦

[@WhippetNose]

There really is no start to her talents

[@eilsmile8732]

Sparkly and very clever……. Go girl go! 😊

[@WayneKDargie]

Angel ❤❤

[@glennmorrissey5309]

Great conversation! Thank you very much.

[@IansUToob57]

Why I’m single. Rachel has ruined me for all other women. Utter perfection. ❤😅

[@Lighthammer66]

I like her.🙂

[@MikeJGreenwood]

What a beautiful person. My estimation of her escalated even more when she told me she loves Roy Keane, especially when I know James is a Liverpool fan. Never known he to be lost for words even though it was for only a second 😂

[@racingsquirrel238]

Eat the most disgusting first.... Hmmm. I did that growing up. Mom interpreted it being my favorite food. So everytime I came home, mom had all my 'favorites' lined up for the week. She kept that up until she couldn't cook anymore.

[@nicopillay4059]

If you put Christine P, comedienne and wife to Tom Segura, next to Rachel, they'd look like mother and daughter. Strong resemblance

[@frankbrodie5168]

Without wishing to come across as a creepy old man, Rachel for me always seemed like the female version of 'Ace Rimmer' from Red Dwarf (sitcom) Whereby anyone meeting and talking to her, probably walked away saying to themselves... "What a woman."

[@alanbarker2279]

Rachel superb, but what an annoying interviewer. I won't be returning to this channel!

[@craigsproston7378]

Sadly i think the show is very shallow. It doesnt go deep enough. All that they both said is so obvious and needed to go deeper

[@suheilpinto6964]

She keeps shitting on his BS. It's hilarious to watch.

[@jmlane]

He's a terrible interviewer. Just let her talk, and follow the conversation. Redirecting back to his unanswered questions or interrupting trying to make an observation is extremely irritating to watch.

[@bertrach]

She is definitely one of those likable racists.

[@scottwilliams1976]

How is she racist? Which race?

[@Dave1507]

was this autocorrect, or do you simply not know what 'racist' means?

[@bertrach]

@Dave1507 Dave, she wouldn't have you even if she was single and you weren't a moron... but she is definitely racist.

[@rustybear5125]

You are definitely one of those unlikeable a-holes.

[@jimidkfa]

@ 7.40: FAIL = First Attempt In Learning

[@nathanialdodd]

@alanbarker2279 Unfortunately agree, he’s too stoic needs to loosen up a bit. Always trying to find serious and worldly interpretations from what she said, completely glossed over her nice monologue on Sean lock to talk about an interesting perspective on countdown she mentioned 5 minutes earlier for example. Felt like Rachel was being interviewed for a commercial job

[@nathanialdodd]

Side note- Rachel was great, what a wonderful human!