Welcome! - Post here first

Phil Collinge · Post by **Phil Collinge** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:38 pm

Well I've been here for about 6 weeks now and rather ashamed that I haven't been on this thread yet.

I'm a 38 year old unemployed alcoholic, originally from Burnley, now living near Southend-on-Sea with my partner Supee.

To be honest, although I was aware of Countdown since its inception, I didn't much care for it, just wasn't me. I started watching properly around the start of Des Lynam's series (purely coincidental) and had become hooked by the end of 2008.

A combination of Jeff becoming part of the show, along with Junaid, Charlie and Kirk plugging this site, led me in this direction and I am so glad to have found myself here.

My interests include Burnley FC, punk rock and motor sport - and now apterous.

Matt Bayfield · Post by **Matt Bayfield** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:09 pm

hullo folks... I'm Matt. Some of you may have spotted me on apterous for the last week or two.

Back in the day, I watched the very first episode of Countdown, and then probably most episodes for the first ten years, playing along at home like I guess most of us do. I lost interest from the mid-to-late 90s, and only resumed watching regularly when one of my favourite presenters, Jeff Stelling, became host. Hence I watched the recent CoC and found out about this site.

I enjoy trivia and general word puzzling although even when I played a bit of club level Scrabble, I've never really been the kind of person to learn word lists or anagrams or suchlike. I'd rather play with my exisiting knowledge and spend the rest of my time doing the other things I enjoy, which are mainly music or sport-related. Most of my free evenings are spent watching live bands or playing some sport or other.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:12 pm

Matt Bayfield wrote:hullo folks... I'm Matt. Some of you may have spotted me on apterous for the last week or two.

Back in the day, I watched the very first episode of Countdown, and then probably most episodes for the first ten years, playing along at home like I guess most of us do. I lost interest from the mid-to-late 90s, and only resumed watching regularly when one of my favourite presenters, Jeff Stelling, became host. Hence I watched the recent CoC and found out about this site.

I enjoy trivia and general word puzzling although even when I played a bit of club level Scrabble, I've never really been the kind of person to learn word lists or anagrams or suchlike. I'd rather play with my exisiting knowledge and spend the rest of my time doing the other things I enjoy, which are mainly music or sport-related. Most of my free evenings are spent watching live bands or playing some sport or other.

You sound like a nice guy. You'll never fit in here.

(PS Judging by your photo, you must've been watching the first episode in nappies.)
(PPS Sometimes I have to watch in a nappy, it depends what Susie is wearing.)

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:14 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:(PPS Sometimes I have to watch in a nappy, it depends what Susie is wearing.)

You've excelled yourself there Charlie, I think that will make the Classic Posts thread as well!

Matt Bayfield · Post by **Matt Bayfield** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:28 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:You sound like a nice guy. You'll never fit in here.

(PS Judging by your photo, you must've been watching the first episode in nappies.)
(PPS Sometimes I have to watch in a nappy, it depends what Susie is wearing.)

You're too kind. I'll sacrifice fitting in as long as people don't mind playing the occasional game with me on apterous.

The photo is quite flattering (and also a few years old now). So not quite in nappies for the first episode, but still in primary school, yes.

[Edit - I'll probably remove that photo in a few days. Even if others don't mind looking at it every time I post, I'd rather not keep seeing it. Thought it was fair to show ppl a pic though, what with me knowing what some of you look like from tv, etc.]

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Matt Bayfield wrote:
Charlie Reams wrote:You sound like a nice guy. You'll never fit in here.

(PS Judging by your photo, you must've been watching the first episode in nappies.)
(PPS Sometimes I have to watch in a nappy, it depends what Susie is wearing.)
You're too kind. I'll sacrifice fitting in as long as people don't mind playing the occasional game with me on apterous.

The photo is quite flattering (and also a few years old now). So not quite in nappies for the first episode, but still in primary school, yes.

[Edit - I'll probably remove that photo in a few days. Even if others don't mind looking at it every time I post, I'd rather not keep seeing it. Thought it was fair to show ppl a pic though, what with me knowing what some of you look like from tv, etc.]

Nice hat.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:24 pm

Ken MacKenzie wrote:Well, courage finally came to the fore and I'm due to record in Manchester on June 16th.

Excellent! I know that at least three forum members will be in the audience on that day.

Ken MacKenzie · Post by **Ken MacKenzie** » Sun May 17, 2009 11:26 am

Howard Somerset wrote:
Ken MacKenzie wrote:Well, courage finally came to the fore and I'm due to record in Manchester on June 16th.
Excellent! I know that at least three forum members will be in the audience on that day.

Oh no, oh no! I can feel the pressure building.

Seriously, though, I look forward to meeting some of you.

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Sun May 17, 2009 4:18 pm

Howard Somerset wrote:
Ken MacKenzie wrote:Well, courage finally came to the fore and I'm due to record in Manchester on June 16th.
Excellent! I know that at least three forum members will be in the audience on that day.

Who are they then? Anyone in the audience on the 17th?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun May 17, 2009 9:10 pm

Welcome to everyone new!

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:25 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Welcome to everyone new!

That's the lazy way out.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue May 19, 2009 1:20 am

I said that because I didn't have time to address anybody due to my hard feelings.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:53 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I said that because I didn't have time to address anybody due to my hard feelings.

Surely the idea of welcoming people is to make them feel welcome. If I'd seen you'd welcomed loads by name and then I joined and you just lumped me in with all the rest, I would take offence.

Ian Fitzpatrick · Post by **Ian Fitzpatrick** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:17 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:I said that because I didn't have time to address anybody due to my hard feelings.
Surely the idea of welcoming people is to make them feel welcome. If I'd seen you'd welcomed loads by name and then I joined and you just lumped me in with all the rest, I would take offence.

....and even worse if he doesn't welcome you at all!

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:45 pm

I have welcomed some people by name, and I have not welcomed others.
Nothing personal, but inconsistent I dare say.
If anyone is offended my by my omissions I am sorry.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed May 20, 2009 2:57 am

It's more time consuming to welcome people by name, but to be honest it depends on the day.

Ian Fitzpatrick · Post by **Ian Fitzpatrick** » Wed May 20, 2009 7:45 am

Ralph Gillions wrote:I have welcomed some people by name, and I have not welcomed others.
Nothing personal, but inconsistent I dare say.
If anyone is offended my by my omissions I am sorry.

Your apology is accepted

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:04 pm

I was just taking the piss, but I'm glad that this overdue debate is now under way.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:46 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:I was just taking the piss,

I know.

Gavin Chipper wrote:but I'm glad that this overdue debate is now under way.

And run its course I suspect (and hope.)

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:47 pm

Hi I'm Marc

Just signed up to the forum today.... been on Apterous for a week or so and just recently got my first score over 100

Still trying to achieve a game where I get all the numbers rounds and conundrum

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:10 pm

Hello Marc.
Welcome, and I hope you continue to enjoy it - and achieve your targets.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:27 pm

Hi, Marc!

Welcome to the forum!

I'm from the US and I watch torrents of Countdown.

How did you get so interested in Countdown, and where are you from?

I know, Countdown has changed a lot in the last few years, but it hasn't gone out of style.

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:13 am

Hi jason thanks for the welcome(you too ralph)

I am from east London

Started watching countdown from day 1 but stopped watching around the time Richard Whitely died due to work commitments

Started watching again this year as I now have a laptop and can watch on 4OD if i am too busy at work

Found out about Apterous when Kirk plugged it during his octochamp run

Looking forward to the COC

I predict a Kirk Bevans v Jimmy Gough final

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:39 am

Marc, what do you think of Jeff and Rachel?

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:08 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Marc, what do you think of Jeff and Rachel?

I think they are both brilliant

Jeff is probaby good enough to be a reasonable contestant with his word knowledge

Rachel is great with figures as well as having a great figure

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:55 am

marc meakin wrote:stopped watching around the time Richard Whitely died due to work commitments

Countdown, the silent killer.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:03 pm

marc meakin wrote:
Looking forward to the COC

I predict a Kirk Bevans v Jimmy Gough final

Interestingly lots of people call the finals the COC when the COC (Champion of Champions) is actually a completely different competition.
Also, how come so many people don't spell my surname correctly?

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:57 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Also, how come so many people don't spell my surname correctly?

I think there was a lot of misspelling in the 1940s and 1950s when
Ernest Bevin and Aneurin Bevan were both active in politics. Neither of them had an S on the end though.
(Sorry to go off at a tangent, but the spelling remark reminded me of these two politicians.)

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:14 pm

Marc, nobody said that Jeff can't actually play along on Countdown because that would be unfair.

All the staff are wonderful!

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:00 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:
marc meakin wrote:
Looking forward to the COC

I predict a Kirk Bevans v Jimmy Gough final
Interestingly lots of people call the finals the COC when the COC (Champion of Champions) is actually a completely different competition.
Also, how come so many people don't spell my surname correctly?

Sorry Kirk for getting your surname wrong

Having had my christian name spelt wrongly enough times I ought to know better than to piss people off getting names wrong

Also wrong about mixing COC with series 60 final

Although theoretically Kirk Bevins and Jimmy Gough could conceivably meet in a future COC final

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Fri May 22, 2009 12:29 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
marc meakin wrote:
Looking forward to the COC

I predict a Kirk Bevans v Jimmy Gough final
Interestingly lots of people call the finals the COC when the COC (Champion of Champions) is actually a completely different competition.
Also, how come so many people don't spell my surname correctly?

Name misspelling also pisses Jimmy Goff.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:11 pm

All we have to do is rememember it rhymes with cough and hope that none of us get swine flu.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:16 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:All we have to do is rememember it rhymes with cough and hope that none of us get swine flu.

Well done Jason, that was a lot funnier than my attempted joke

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:30 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:All we have to do is rememember it rhymes with cough and hope that none of us get swine flu.

All we have to do is rememememememememeber it rhymes with trough and hope none of us get equine flu.

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:31 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:All we have to do is rememember it rhymes with cough and hope that none of us get swine flu.
All we have to do is rememememememememeber it rhymes with trough and hope none of us get equine flu.

If you put that many Ms, how can you forget to do -MBER at the end?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:16 pm

You're right, Derek.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:16 pm

Lucky thing for Jimmy it doesn't rhyme with tough.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:36 pm

Ralph Gillions wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:but I'm glad that this overdue debate is now under way.
And run its course I suspect (and hope.)

We'll see.

Qirq Bevvins wrote:Surely the idea of welcoming people is to make them feel welcome. If I'd seen you'd welcomed loads by name and then I joined and you just lumped me in with all the rest, I would take offence.

If that's above your offence threshold I'm surprised you have enough time in the day to be offended by the things that you need to be offended by!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat May 23, 2009 1:28 am

You're right, Phil.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:59 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:
If that's above your offence threshold I'm surprised you have enough time in the day to be offended by the things that you need to be offended by!

a) I was being a wind-up merchant - I wasn't really offended.
b) You've lost me. I have no idea what you are on about - again.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun May 24, 2009 3:03 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:
If that's above your offence threshold I'm surprised you have enough time in the day to be offended by the things that you need to be offended by!
a) I was being a wind-up merchant - I wasn't really offended.
b) You've lost me. I have no idea what you are on about - again.

I was just taking what you said at face value and misspelling your name in the quote as an extra as you'd expressed annoyance at that. But never mind - forget it.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:51 pm

Hi, I'm Sue. I've watched Countdown since the dawn of time and was a contestant in Autumn 2006. Got beaten in a 'crucial' Countdown conundrum so only got the one game... but I scored 80 something. Immediate sense, on losing, was one of relief because I took my place on that chair like a rabbit in headlights. I really thought I couldn't have faced it again but actually would have won the next game as the following contestant, a young student lad carried on the 'rabbit in headlights' theme! And if I'd have hung on in there, next day, I'd have got to meet Jo Brand. Oh well. I didn't make a fool of myself (well there was one round where I declared a non existant word featuring a non present letter!) and Des Lynam was lovely and we exchanged a high five. Brilliant! My best moment - 'palmiest' - Suzi had to check for it!!

Great to know there's a site that might make me stop shouting my spoilers at a non responsive telly!

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:12 pm

Sue Sanders wrote:Hi, I'm Sue. I've watched Countdown since the dawn of time and was a contestant in Autumn 2006. Got beaten in a 'crucial' Countdown conundrum so only got the one game... but I scored 80 something. Immediate sense, on losing, was one of relief because I took my place on that chair like a rabbit in headlights. I really thought I couldn't have faced it again but actually would have won the next game as the following contestant, a young student lad carried on the 'rabbit in headlights' theme! And if I'd have hung on in there, next day, I'd have got to meet Jo Brand. Oh well. I didn't make a fool of myself (well there was one round where I declared a non existant word featuring a non present letter!) and Des Lynam was lovely and we exchanged a high five. Brilliant! My best moment - 'palmiest' - Suzi had to check for it!!

Great to know there's a site that might make me stop shouting my spoilers at a non responsive telly!

Welcome Sue! I'm glad you're going to take an active part on this board, as it is very male-dominated, as most females seem to make a few posts and then drift away.

I didn't see Des Lynam's shows, but it sounds like yours was an entertaining one!

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:06 am

Sue Sanders wrote:Hi, I'm Sue. I've watched Countdown since the dawn of time and was a contestant in Autumn 2006. Got beaten in a 'crucial' Countdown conundrum so only got the one game... but I scored 80 something. Immediate sense, on losing, was one of relief because I took my place on that chair like a rabbit in headlights. I really thought I couldn't have faced it again but actually would have won the next game as the following contestant, a young student lad carried on the 'rabbit in headlights' theme! And if I'd have hung on in there, next day, I'd have got to meet Jo Brand. Oh well. I didn't make a fool of myself (well there was one round where I declared a non existant word featuring a non present letter!) and Des Lynam was lovely and we exchanged a high five. Brilliant! My best moment - 'palmiest' - Suzi had to check for it!!

Great to know there's a site that might make me stop shouting my spoilers at a non responsive telly!

Welcome Sue. Here's your game if you haven't found it already http://www.apterous.org/cdb/game.php?game=965. You played rather well and were unlucky to be beaten on a crucial conundrum by another good player.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:05 am

Hi, Sue!

Welcome to the forum!

I don't dislike Des Lynam, but I don't think he was a good fit for Countdown. He was a better fit for Sport Mastermind.

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Mo Warden · Post by **Mo Warden** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:03 pm

Hello everyone!

Regular Countdown viewer here; it's on Sky+ series link and the first thing I watch in the evening after the meal when I sit down to relax with my partner. I don't remember exactly when my "addiction" started but it was probably in the late nineties and the early days of the "Honorary Mayor of Wetwang."

I had a quiet afternoon so decided to Google (is that in the dictionary yet, I wonder?) Countdown and found myself here and at Apterous, which looks interesting but I have yet to play my first game. I might have time to dive into it later and can only hope that mercy is shown to a n00b.

I'm 50-something, female and living in Scotland but not Scottish. We moved here 7 years ago and love the place.

I'm a web designer - for my sins - and an admin on a PHPBB forum (http://www.the-company.com/forum/)
Nice building! Kudos to the designer(s) and maintenance staff.
That's an admin joke btw

I'll try to contribute a bit here when time allows, and I'll spend some time looking around the forum now.
As a Governor said - I'll be back.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:21 pm

Hi, Mo!

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:03 am

Hello Mo and welcome. How nice to see such a colourful - some may say eccentric - person join the forums. I am sure you will add a lot to discussions.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:56 am

Derek Hazell wrote:Hello Mo and welcome. How nice to see such a colourful - some may say eccentric - person join the forums. I am sure you will add a lot to discussions.

You're too late, she's already said goodbye :facepalm:

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:13 am

Jon Corby wrote:
Derek Hazell wrote:Hello Mo and welcome. How nice to see such a colourful - some may say eccentric - person join the forums. I am sure you will add a lot to discussions.
You're too late, she's already said goodbye :facepalm:

Oops yeah sorry, I hadn't visited the Apterous forum.

What a shame, she seemed like quite a character. It really is a challenge getting women to stay around here isn't it!

Bit like real life really . . .

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:20 am

Derek Hazell wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
Derek Hazell wrote:Hello Mo and welcome. How nice to see such a colourful - some may say eccentric - person join the forums. I am sure you will add a lot to discussions.
You're too late, she's already said goodbye :facepalm:
Oops yeah sorry, I hadn't visited the Apterous forum.

What a shame, she seemed like quite a character. It really is a challenge getting women to stay around here isn't it!

Bit like real life really . . .

Shame as we could do with more retards on the forum

That was a joke by the way

kevin manthorpe · Post by **kevin manthorpe** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:19 pm

Mo Warden wrote:I had a quiet afternoon so decided to Google (is that in the dictionary yet, I wonder?) Countdown

I can't give you any references, but I am sure that I've heard it said that "google" is in the dictionary as a new verb, note with a lower case "g". It might even have been the great Ms Dent, but don't quote me on that!

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:26 pm

me on that!

Oops

James Leroux · Post by **James Leroux** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:05 am

Hi, I'm James. I'm from Canada, so I've seen all of one episode of the show, but I've been a fan ever since I happened upon Loz Archer's game in about 2000.

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:31 am

James Leroux wrote:Hi, I'm James. I'm from Canada, so I've seen all of one episode of the show, but I've been a fan ever since I happened upon Loz Archer's game in about 2000.

Hi. Canada is cool.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:00 am

Hi James.
Welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:13 am

Hi, James! Welcome!

As you'll soon find out, some of the people here have made more recent Countdown games.

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Julie Russell · Post by **Julie Russell** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:56 pm

Hi all

Been lurking for a while, about time I said hello. I appeared in series 60 heats back in April and had a whale of a time. After 3 wins, I was defeated by a spectacular performance from Hamish Williamson, who scored a debut record of 134.

Loving the forum, loving Apterous and above all loving Countdown.

Julie

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:49 pm

Welcome, Julie. Good to see you here. If you've read the comments on your game last Thursday, you'll see that you're very highly regarded.

The nearest I've come to you so far is to have played your sister on Apterousa few weeks ago. Now, if you haven't got a sister, or at least a sister who plays on Apterous, then it's prossible that someone's trying to impersonate her.

Hope you enjoy the forum.

Gregor Morgan · Post by **Gregor Morgan** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:14 pm

Hi, finally got round to introducing myself. Long distance lorry driver, workaholic, general pessimist, been watching Countdown since the early days. Been on Apterous since March. Anyone who's played me will know that I range from crap to the dizzy heights of bad. But I'm persevering, and (slowly) improving, and I'm not going away.

Greg.