Following Countdown’s 40th anniversary, the next Champion Of Champions series will declare the ultimate winner from the previous years. Here, previous and present champions reflect on their finest moments and the show’s continued appeal after four decades.
Channel 4 has always been notorious for pushing limits, as evidenced by Shaun Ryder’s ban for swearing live on TFI Friday and the much-criticized Brass Eye, as well as the unapologetic screening of genitalia close-ups in Naked Attraction and the broadcast of a live autopsy.
Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman debuted on Countdown, a simple letters-and-numbers game that is still popular 40 years later, illustrating that controversy isn’t necessarily necessary to create a successful television program.
The afternoon classic, adored by retirees and students alike, concluded its 40th season with its 86th finale shortly before Christmas and will launch a new Champion Of Champions series in 2023.
Although games like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The countdown is comfort TV; the timeslots and presenters have changed over the years, but it is always there with a teatime teaser, gentle humor, and a treasure trove of word knowledge from long-time resident lexicographer Susie Dent – or “that woman in Dictionary Corner” to her one million Twitter followers.
Ahmed Mohamed, who became the first black Countdown champion when he won the 84th series in 2021, and Tom Stevenson, who won the most recent series a few days ago after scoring a record-breaking 154 points in his heats, will both compete in the forthcoming Champion Of Champions series.
Tom remained unbeaten during his whole run in his heats, a feat never before accomplished.
“I just wanted to have fun, attempt to win the teapot, and hopefully not embarrass myself,” he explains. “However, Colin [Murray, the current host] was deeply committed.
“In the last game, there were a few instances in which my opponent announced a lengthier word than I did, but it was not in the dictionary. Then came the final riddle, which I was able to solve, much to Colin’s delight. The clip is available on YouTube.”
During his time on the show, Tom also scored with the phrase “hornier”; it was not a vulgar one that had to be edited out, but he was nonetheless pleased with it.
“I can promise you that nobody has allowed me to forget saying that word on national television,” he says. Forget about all the other accomplishments, that is the one that has stayed with me.
Ahmed, age 28, was also impressed throughout his time on the show. However, he freely confesses that his exceptional ability to come up with nice words – and spell them correctly – is not always based on his understanding of their meanings, but rather on his study of Countdown vocabulary.
In the first round of his third show, Ahmed got a nine-letter word, “bolection… having to do with architecture,” and he says he was proud to identify the last riddle as “tepidaria.” Just don’t expect him to have definitions readily available.
“Every time I used a term that seemed a bit bizarre, Anne [Robinson, the presenter at the time] would ask me, ‘What does that word mean?’ I never knew, Anne. I’m not sure!'”
Every fan of the show will tell you that its simplicity is the secret to its popularity. Spell the longest word possible using a combination of nine consonants and vowels; calculate a three-digit number using basic arithmetic using a combination of six small and large values. All of which was then followed by the enigma, Countdown’s counterpart to the Gladiators’ travelator.
They will likely also attribute its durability to Whiteley’s extended tenure as leader.
Mark Nyman, who participated in the third series in 1983 and was a finalist, stated that there was “a general sense of family from the beginning.” After becoming the first Champion Of Champions in 1984, he eventually became a producer on the show and also starred in dozens of episodes of Dictionary Corner.
He resembled a god in reality
Initially, he was hired as a program associate or greeter to meet participants the night before filming and help put them at ease. “Have a few drinks and make them feel like they’re a part of Countdown,” he advises. Although it’s hardly the first program that comes to mind when you think of rowdy behind-the-scenes stories, he claims that “there were maybe a few inebriated contestants” back in the day.
Mark, who became a co-producer in the 1990s, describes Whiteley, the presenter who hosted until he died in 2005, as “the central component.” ” He attracted not only to the elder demographic but also to students and younger individuals, which is fairly uncommon.
“That was because he was occasionally a bit of a bumbling idiot, and the students enjoyed making fun of him in a kind manner. He was essentially a god. So inviting. Once you have earned his respect, he will do anything for you.
I merely felt he was arrogant
As a producer, Mark also conducted interviews with potential candidates to determine their suitability for the show. He estimates that he must have completed about 15,000 applications over the years, including one from The Chase quiz master Mark “The Beast” Labbett.
Nyman rejected the request
“At the interview, he was exceptional with numbers but ordinary with letters. In borderline circumstances, I relied on personality; I didn’t dislike him, but I thought he was a touch arrogant. So I turned him down. However, if there were borderline cases, I would always give them a second chance… and he tried again and passed the second time.”
According to him, Countdown was never about selecting participants solely for “excellent television” or for cheap chuckles. It is entirely about skill. “It doesn’t matter if a socially inept person wins eight shows because people love their intellect… and they might say something idiotic, which is fine.”
Tom and Ahmed are preparing to appear on Channel 4 once more, as the next season of Champion Of Champions is about to premiere.
Both claim that the experience has improved their lives, although for different reasons.
Tom, who suffered from agoraphobia as a teenager, said that he forced himself to participate in the show. “I nearly dropped out on one occasion, but it was something I could say to myself, it doesn’t matter how I do, but I can say that I’ve done it, and it’s pushing me way out of my comfort zone since I’ve never appeared on television before.
“I merely wished to win one episode. And even if I ended up losing, as long as I thought I’d done myself properly, I would have been satisfied. However, it has been an amazing experience. People have noted that they believe my confidence has increased.”
Ahmed is thrilled to have become the first black champion. “I was ecstatic about that. I live in Tottenham, and it was going a bit viral. Friends I hadn’t spoken to in years were finding me online, claiming they’d heard about me in the news.
January marks the beginning of the upcoming Countdown Champion Of Champions season.
