Rachel Riley's quickie countdown to divorce

Countdown star Rachel Riley has left her husband just 16 months after they married.

The maths expert, who recently starred in Strictly Come Dancing, married university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert last August.

Mr Gilbert is said to be "devastated beyond belief" by their separation, which is thought to have come out of the blue.

A spokeswoman for the star confirmed the pair, who live in Essex, have separated.

A friend Mr Gilbert told The Sun: "He has no idea where this has come from. Rachel just told him they had grown apart."

Riley, who replaced Carol Vorderman on the daytime show, married in front of guests including Countdown co-star Nick Hewer.

She was the fifth star to be voted off this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, losing the dance-off to Abbey Clancy.

Riley and partner, Pasha Kovalev, were unanimously given the boot by judges after the head-to-head battle with the model who has been touted as one of this year's main contenders.

Riley's profile has sky-rocketed since she took over from Carol Vorderman on Countdown and appearing on Strictly COme Dancing. She also co-hosts The Gadget Show on Channel 5.