Nick Hewer would be "sad" if 'Countdown' was axed but joked he would be "in the money".

The 69-year-old former PR expert - who hosts the Channel 4 letters and numbers game show - laughed off rumours the programme could be scrapped, but admitted he would be much richer if it was because he has a contract to present the show next year.

Speaking at a Q&A to launch the ninth series of 'The Apprentice' at London's Soho Hotel on Tuesday, he quipped: "I've got a contract right through 2014 so to be honest with you I'd be sad, but I'd be in the money."

The show - which was watched by around four million people during its peak - is said to be under threat due to decreasing ratings, and reportedly received viewing figures of just 260,000, the lowest in its history, last Tuesday.

A TV source said: "'Countdown' is cheap to make but these figures are very worrying. The clock is ticking and this signals the beginning of the end. How much longer will they stick with something that has lost so many viewers?

"You can't keep it on indefinitely just because it has history. The numbers do not add up."

Nick is to reprise his role as Lord Alan Sugar's aide on 'The Apprentice' next week when the business challenge show returns for its ninth series on Tuesday May 7 at 9pm on BBC One.