Search found 55 matches

by Stewart Holden
Tue Jan 03, 2023 9:22 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Tuesday 3rd January 2023 (Champion of Champions XVI, 2nd Preliminary)
Replies: 2
Views: 326

Re: Tuesday 3rd January 2023 ( Champion of Champions XVI, Prelim 2)

Is it me or did the board for r5 actually show REGINEMS by mistake? I only caught a brief glimpse of it, I may be talking nonsense...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:41 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: 40th Anniversary Celebrations
Replies: 40
Views: 4107

Re: 40th Anniversary Celebrations

BBC Radio Nottingham phoned me yesterday as they still had my details from when I won the series back in 2004. I've lived in Northern Ireland for 14 years now but agreed to chat to them about Countdown anyway! You can hear the short piece from exactly 3:38 into this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/pla...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Dec 17, 2015 12:02 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: GCHQ Christmas Puzzle
Replies: 11
Views: 7174

Re: GCHQ Christmas Puzzle

I had a go and have got about halfway through the picross so far. I suspect it reveals a QR code, though, which I dubious about whether it would actually scan correctly.
by Stewart Holden
Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:21 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: 666 numbers game request
Replies: 6
Views: 3755

666 numbers game request

Your best efforts, please, for a difficult numbers game with a target of 666.

Standard Countdown rules to apply, but I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve going above 1000 and then dividing down again (i.e. it should be tricky but not that tricky). Thanks in advance for your devilish efforts.
by Stewart Holden
Tue Mar 31, 2015 2:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Matt Le Tissier to appear on Countdown
Replies: 24
Views: 5895

Re: Matt Le Tissier to appear on Countdown

He'll certainly be the first person to appear after being both a DC guest and a conundrum.

LETISSIER was in Wayne Kelly's final many years ago (with the other conundrum being LIAMBRADY, from memory).
by Stewart Holden
Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:17 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Gino Corr RIP
Replies: 7
Views: 3954

Gino Corr RIP

Scottish former Scrabble player and Countdown contestant Gino Corr passed away last night.

One comical moment from his Countdown appearance has been widely viewed over the years:

http://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_1073
by Stewart Holden
Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:12 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What's your Bevins Number?
Replies: 65
Views: 24230

Re: What's your Bevins Number?

I have a Bevins Number of 2.

I beat Richard Pay in my series 51 semi-final, and he beat Kirk earlier in the series.
by Stewart Holden
Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:44 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday January 10th 2014 (S70 P5)
Replies: 107
Views: 17039

Re: Spoilers for Friday January 10th 2014 (S70 P5)

The most agonising part of this excruciating viewing experience is that with the third 9 just having come up, if the contestants were actually competent they could have had an enormous score.
by Stewart Holden
Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday January 10th 2014 (S70 P5)
Replies: 107
Views: 17039

Re: Spoilers for Friday January 10th 2014 (S70 P5)

Is this a joke contestant? Did she turn up at the wrong studio by mistake?
by Stewart Holden
Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:50 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday December 11th 2013 (S69 P111)
Replies: 8
Views: 1773

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday December 11th 2013 (S69 P111)

Why would HOMAGES be questionable in any way?
by Stewart Holden
Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:38 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Playing words you don't know
Replies: 21
Views: 6846

Re: Playing words you don't know

Allan Simmons writes this in The Scrabble Player's Handbook: "It is probably true to say that most top players learn many thousands of words without any regard to the definitions. In contrast, there are many social home players who believe that a player should know the meaning of words that the...
by Stewart Holden
Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:19 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Strictly Come Rachel.....???
Replies: 4
Views: 1659

Re: Strictly Come Rachel.....???

Confirmed:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycome ... ur-line-up

Can't say I'm too unhappy at this prospect! Best of luck to her.
by Stewart Holden
Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:50 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Monday March 4th 2013
Replies: 20
Views: 3945

Re: Spoilers For Monday March 4th 2013

I feel I must complain that today's show was by no means the mundane affair we had been promised. Hoping to reclaim my weekday afternoons from today onwards, I tuned in to seek reassurance that these 'mortal' games were not worth 45 minutes of my time. Did the young lady perchance have a lingering B...
by Stewart Holden
Fri Mar 01, 2013 3:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: 30BC Grand Final Spoilers For Friday March 1st 2013
Replies: 132
Views: 36832

Re: 30BC Grand Final Spoilers For Friday March 1st 2013

Congratulations to Conor, undoubtedly the strongest player of all time and a thoroughly nice chap to boot. The whole series has been remarkable to watch, many thanks to the Countdown team for making it happen. Without wanting to detract from the 146, I have to say I'm completely baffled by the frequ...
by Stewart Holden
Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:49 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 20th 2013
Replies: 23
Views: 6746

Re: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 20th

Unlucky to have SUBPRIME disallowed, it's a great spot. Scrabble allows it along with HERPETOID for the first round. No UNDERSOLE* though!
by Stewart Holden
Wed Feb 13, 2013 12:30 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: B'day Championship Spoilers For Tuesday February 12th 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 5825

Re: B'day Championship Spoilers For Tuesday February 12th 20

TOILET is easy to miss, but you can usually blame it on the dog.
by Stewart Holden
Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:08 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Calendar
Replies: 126
Views: 18074

Re: Countdown Calendar

This appears to be a printing error because the original files I submitted to the publisher contained different material for these dates. I have asked them to investigate; meanwhile, apologies for the duplication.
by Stewart Holden
Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:17 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The Scrabble Player's Handbook
Replies: 7
Views: 4275

The Scrabble Player's Handbook

I have spent much of the past twelve months overseeing the creation of a massive new resource for Scrabble players, both new and old. Launched on 1st January 2013, this is how it was announced: I am delighted to announce the release of a major new Scrabble resource, the product of over one year of h...
by Stewart Holden
Sat Oct 13, 2012 9:09 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: COUNTDOWN 30TH CHAMPIONSHIP
Replies: 243
Views: 55886

Re: COUNTDOWN 30TH CHAMPIONSHIP

Despite retiring from all Countdown activities several years ago I was tempted to apply for this "just for fun", but in the end a combination of having two children under the age of 3, a major Scrabble project currently taking up most of my time and a likely (now confirmed) house move in e...
by Stewart Holden
Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:46 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Friday 8th June 2012 (Series 66, Prelim 104)
Replies: 3
Views: 1337

Re: Friday 8th June 2012 (Series 66, Prelim 104)

I've watched the show a few times lately and thought the general standard of the contestants was lower than usual, and in some cases dismal, but round 4 in particular today confirms it. PASTE and mapist! And nothing more than a five from EONQUHRKD, seriously??
by Stewart Holden
Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:05 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 221661

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

Surprised nobody commented that the girl who was on earlier in the week Megan Jephson looked very much like actress Helen Baxendale, perhaps best known as Ross's girlfriend in Friends. I actually thought it was her at first.
by Stewart Holden
Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:55 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Calendar
Replies: 126
Views: 18074

Re: Countdown Calendar

Would you have ever presented an illegal six-vowel selection: O S I P A U R I U and then spuriously given 'SPURIOUS' as the best answer the next day? :evil: I've checked the copy I sent to the publisher and, as they say about RMS Titanic here in Belfast... "She was alright when she left here&q...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:05 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Wednesday 16th November 2011 (Series 65, Prelim 98)
Replies: 4
Views: 1820

Re: Wednesday 16th November 2011 (Series 65, Prelim 98)

James Robinson wrote:Round 4: M I A D X R E E N

C1: REMAINED (8)
C2: DREAM (5)


Is this the worst ever (valid) offering in a letters game?

How on earth do these people make it past the auditions?
by Stewart Holden
Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:40 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Calendar
Replies: 126
Views: 18074

Re: Countdown Calendar

New content every year, although some conundrum answers have probably been unintentionally repeated by now with different arrangements. Re SUPERCEDE, as pointed out earlier in the thread, both spellings are valid - the inclusion this year was because I knew you lot would notice! There are a few 'Eas...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Huw Morgan RIP
Replies: 14
Views: 3646

Huw Morgan RIP

Huw Morgan, series champion in 1997, passed away this morning.

He had contracted swine flu at Christmas and had been in intensive care for a couple of weeks due to
complications. He was only 54. Huw was an active Scrabble player for many years and will be sadly missed by all.
by Stewart Holden
Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:56 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Proper names etc..........
Replies: 34
Views: 4020

Re: Proper names etc..........

D Eadie wrote: LOL Kirk, the way Stewart is bitching about it you'd have thought i wrote the article myself.
I think, as ABSP publicity officer, he's just about had the busiest day of his life and is perhaps struggling to cope with it. Bless.


That would be about right, yes :)

SH
by Stewart Holden
Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:52 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Proper names etc..........
Replies: 34
Views: 4020

Re: Proper names etc..........

In any case, it's good publicity for the game itself, which must be suffering in terms of sales these days. Scrabble was the #1 selling board game in the UK during 2008, for the first time in 15 years. That's not my definition of suffering. And yes you should check that what a newspaper is reportin...
by Stewart Holden
Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:10 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Proper names etc..........
Replies: 34
Views: 4020

Re: Proper names etc..........

Damian, you really should know better than to report such complete shite without checking the facts first. The Daily Mail? Oh dear... This is the current statement on the ABSP website: 6th April 2010 STATEMENT: Proposed rule changes for new Scrabble spin-off The ABSP has been contacted by several ne...
by Stewart Holden
Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:23 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Calendar
Replies: 126
Views: 18074

Re: Countdown Calendar

Looks like it's my error. Good to know you're all as eagle-eyed as ever.
by Stewart Holden
Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:01 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Max performance!
Replies: 10
Views: 2989

Max performance!

Sarah-Jane and I are proud parents of Maximilian John Alexander Holden, who was born at 2.04am on Weds 3rd February 2010. Max weighed 8lb 2.5oz and mother and baby are doing very well indeed; they were able to come home from hospital later the same day. Countdown content? Well his date of birth is 3...
by Stewart Holden
Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:11 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Has apterous killed Countdown?
Replies: 107
Views: 11922

Re: Has apterous killed Countdown?

To go back to the original question... Over the 40-ish years that Scrabble has been played competitively there have been numerous developments that have changed the game in the same kind way Apterous has recently changed the Countdown scene. When the National Scrabble Championships was first run in ...
by Stewart Holden
Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:50 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: What is the point...
Replies: 83
Views: 7877

Re: What is the point...

You beat Chris Hawkins and Wayne Kelly in the QF and Final, not in ordinary shows, so I'm not sure of the relevance. I don't really have a problem re Ed and Ross, I just thought it was a strange decision on your part. It's no great secret that you can identify the best players from their auditions a...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:44 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: What is the point...
Replies: 83
Views: 7877

What is the point...

... in Damian Eadie emailing the ABSP asking for us to get more Scrabble players to appear on Countdown, and then putting two of the UK's keenest young players up against the #1 rated player on Apterous? It has always previously been the case that the best players were spaced a few shows apart (usua...
by Stewart Holden
Thu May 28, 2009 12:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: COUNTDOWN SPECIALS *PLEASE READ*
Replies: 117
Views: 13260

Re: COUNTDOWN SPECIALS *PLEASE READ*

I'll take part if I'm asked. I'm particularly keen on the 'goatdown' idea of having a 'blank' and/or nominated letter or any kind of letters variants like that. Sounds like a lot of fun!
by Stewart Holden
Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:05 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Calendar
Replies: 126
Views: 18074

Re: Countdown Calendar

I have to confess that I thought it was spelled/spelt SUPERCEDE when I included in the calendar and so the revelation that both are somehow 'allowable' only marginally lets me off the hook. The content for the 2010 edition has just been finalised, but I'll try to learn how to spell by 2011 to avoid ...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:11 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for 29/01/2009, CofC semi-final #2
Replies: 81
Views: 7303

Re: Spoilers for 29/01/2009, CofC semi-final #2

THAT hug has got to be the funniest Countdown moment in a long, long while. Hysterical!
by Stewart Holden
Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 26th January 2009 CoC QFIII (3
Replies: 27
Views: 3176

Re: Spoilers for Monday 26th January 2009 CoC QFIII (3

SIGHTSEER brings back memories of driving past a road named The Sigers somewhere in west London with Mark Nyman in the car and him setting it as a puzzle. None of us got it.
by Stewart Holden
Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:54 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Post your MSN address here
Replies: 43
Views: 11790

Re: Post your MSN address here

In a fit of originality...

stewartholden@hotmail.co.uk
by Stewart Holden
Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:22 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 22nd January (CofC XIII QF1)
Replies: 57
Views: 6506

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 22nd January (CofC XIII QF1)

Fantastic game, one of the best I can remember. Well done to both players.
by Stewart Holden
Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 20th Jan 2009 (CoC Heat 7)
Replies: 45
Views: 4979

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 20th Jan 2009 (CoC Heat 6)

SAVOURS! Wow, can't believe they both missed it.
by Stewart Holden
Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 20th Jan 2009 (CoC Heat 7)
Replies: 45
Views: 4979

Spoilers for Tuesday 20th Jan 2009 (CoC Heat 7)

Good to see Charlie getting in another plug :)
by Stewart Holden
Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:57 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th January- CoC game 3.
Replies: 108
Views: 13267

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th January- CoC game 3.

I say we applaud Richard for having the balls to turn up and compete in CoC. I know Richard was far from his best because he was relatively out of practise. But he won a series containing Steven Briers, which takes some doing. Moreover, the prospect of playing Corby must have been off putting but h...
by Stewart Holden
Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th January- CoC game 3.
Replies: 108
Views: 13267

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th January- CoC game 3.

I'm completely taken aback by today's show. I'd never seen a show with Richard Brittain before, but the guy appears to be nearly illiterate, not to mention a bit of a cock. How on earth did he win a series? Did the other finalists not show up?
by Stewart Holden
Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:46 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Putting it on paper
Replies: 24
Views: 3585

Re: Putting it on paper

I do all my Scrabble word study based on unscrambling alphabetised sets of letters ("alphagrams"), i.e. AEINRST and so forth. Similarly when I'm playing I always start with each rack in alphabetical order and only sometimes shuffle it around after that. In my experience it's very difficult...
by Stewart Holden
Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:31 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Charlie Reams and Dr. Phil Hammond
Replies: 15
Views: 2794

Re: Charlie Reams and Dr. Phil Hammond

*sobs quitely in the corner*

someone nearly thought I was awesome... *sniff*
by Stewart Holden
Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:51 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 5th December QF2
Replies: 48
Views: 4916

Re: Spoilers for Friday 5th December QF2

aagharmer wrote:Is OBEISENCE OK for 9 in round 7?


Wrong letters and wrong spelling, but otherwise it's a fine 18pts.
by Stewart Holden
Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 5th December QF2
Replies: 48
Views: 4916

Re: Spoilers for Friday 5th December QF2

OVER-REAMS in Round Five, something with which I'm sure we can all identify.
by Stewart Holden
Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:12 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 4th December QF1
Replies: 32
Views: 4932

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 4th December QF1

Joseph Bolas wrote:What was that Mike Brown who got LUCRATIVE?

It certainly was a rather suntanned looking Mr Brown.
by Stewart Holden
Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:39 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Charlie Reams and Dr. Phil Hammond
Replies: 15
Views: 2794

Charlie Reams and Dr. Phil Hammond

If I hadn't already met Charlie's dad I'd be suspicious...
by Stewart Holden
Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:10 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday, 21st November
Replies: 26
Views: 3564

Re: Spoilers for Friday, 21st November

The woman who said TRUNCHEON had the most incredible hair I've ever seen. Took me a full minute to stop laughing. OK I'll get me coat...
by Stewart Holden
Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:55 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Nicole HUTCHINGS!!!! & How do you become a recapper?
Replies: 16
Views: 2921

Re: Nicole HUTCHINGS!!!! & How do you become a recapper?

Good to see you on here Giles, say hi to your mum from me.
by Stewart Holden
Sun Nov 02, 2008 5:02 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: New Host
Replies: 264
Views: 29782

Re: New Host

John Suchet, perhaps? Although he's only just started doing Going For Gold (currently being dominated by ABSP chairman Terry Kirk all last week). I agree that if Armstrong has quit because of the HIGNFY ribbings then he's almost certainly not right to be doing the job anyway and probably wouldn't ha...
by Stewart Holden
Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:20 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 15 October (Reams' debut)
Replies: 51
Views: 6045

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 15 October (Reams' debut)

Well done to Charlie for his performance and also for the plug for this site. Ben tells me he's approved over 50 new members in the last 24 hours - excellent stuff. I haven't watched the show much since I was on in 2004 but changing circumstances mean I've caught several episodes of this series. Jun...
by Stewart Holden
Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:36 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Craig Beevers in NSC Final today
Replies: 9
Views: 2555

Craig Beevers in NSC Final today

Live coverage of today's National Scrabble Championship Final can be found at:

http://www.centrestar.co.uk/uknsc/2008/

Recent Countdown series champion Craig Beevers takens on Allan Simmons in a best-of-5 match. Follow the games online all day at the above address.
by Stewart Holden
Thu May 15, 2008 4:00 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Question about future COLINs.
Replies: 16
Views: 3636

Re: Question about future COLINs.

I'd say one division would be best, but with a Scrabble style 'ratings prize' for the bottom half to compete for. Maybe even two ratings prizes depending on the field.