Southend’s Rachel Riley has been crowned Female Rear of the Year for 2017.

The Countdown host, 31, takes over from Hollyoaks star, Jennifer Metcalfe.

She beat War and Peace star Lily James, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, This Morning host, Holly Willoughby and two-time winner, Carol Vorderman to the title.

Riley grew up in Thorpe Bay and was educated at the Thorpe Hall School and the Southend High School for Girls before studying mathematics at Oriel College in Oxford.

As well as hosting Countdown, she also features on the comedy spin-off, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and last year co-hosted Friday Night Football on Sky Sports alongside Jeff Stelling.

She has also hosted programmes such as the Gadget Show, It’s Not Rocket Science, Fantasy Football Club and she also contested 2013’s Strictly Come Dancing, where she was voted off in the sixth round.

Rachel is also a keen advocate for maths and science in schools having visited a number of schools in Essex in an attempt to enthuse pupils.

Rear of the Year organiser, Tony Edwards, explained why Riley was a worthy winner of their annual award.

He said: “Countdown’s famous hostess has the ideal rear for 2017.

“Shapely, firm and proportionate – in marked contrast to the unwelcome trend for an exaggerated, fake, cosmetic look, imported from the USA, which will win no style awards in the UK.”

Actor Idris Elba was awarded the male crown, taking the mantle from last year’s winner, Tom Hiddleston and beating the likes of Prince Harry and Harry Styles to the title.

The Rear of the Year award is a light-hearted prize that has been honouring British celebrities’ rears for four decades.

Nominees are voted for by the general public online and the winners receive a crystal trophy.

For more information on the Rear of the Year award, you can visit rearoftheyearcompetition.com