Welcome! - Post here first

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:22 pm

Jimmy Gough wrote:
Ian Volante wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
Here's a joke Alan Pardew told on Match of the Day 2 the other night:

What have Elisabeth Fritzl and Man Utd got in common?
Go on...
Something to do with this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJiehceTvRs

A bit contrived, but aye, very good

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:24 pm

You're kidding!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:37 pm

Whether they decide to post or not, welcome to the forum Louise and Gill.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:02 am

I'm glad you both joined, Louise and Gill!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:41 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Thank you, Jon!

I'm used to spelling Gillian's name with a J.

Doesn't she get annoyed that you spell her name wrong?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:43 am

Jimmy Gough wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:Here's a joke Alan Pardew told on Match of the Day 2 the other night:

What have Elisabeth Fritzl and Man Utd got in common?
Something to do with this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJiehceTvRs

Getting there. Now take that clue, consider that Man Utd lost very heavily on Saturday at Old Trafford (otherwise known as their 'home' ground), and....

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:53 am

Hi
My name is Davy Affleck I am a firefighter and as I work shifts i have followed Countdown since it started. I only applied at the end of 2008 and was in Edinburgh in Feruary for the auditions and got through & I was down at Leeds this week for filming (I will be on the week beginning 27th April). It was a memorable experience and I would like to thank all the staff, crew and guests for making my wife and I feel very welcome and for looking after us. Giles Brandreth was in dictionary corner so there was never a dull moment.
I only started looking at this forum a few weeks ago but I hope to continue contributing now & then
Thanks
Davy

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:07 pm

Welcome Davy. I hope you enjoy the forum, and posting here.
I look forward to your appearance on TV.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:01 pm

That's ok, Jon!

And welcome to you too, Davy! Good luck on the show!

Tyron Potts · Post by **Tyron Potts** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:36 pm

Davy Affleck wrote:Hi
My name is Davy Affleck

Hi Davy! Are you any relation to the former Yeovil Town footballer David Affleck?

I bet you get asked that all the time...

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:45 pm

Tyron Potts wrote:
Davy Affleck wrote:Hi
My name is Davy Affleck
Hi Davy! Are you any relation to the former Yeovil Town footballer David Affleck?

I bet you get asked that all the time...

no relation Tyron - unfortunately I'm not related to Ben Affleck either

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:54 pm

Welcome Davy, looking forward to seeing you on TV.

for your profession too, respect.

Philip Jarvis · Post by **Philip Jarvis** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:05 am

Davy Affleck wrote:Hi
My name is Davy Affleck ..... I will be on the week beginning 27th April. Thanks
Davy

Welcome Davy - I hope you do well. I don't suppose you're related to a chap called Crockett either??

Lesley Jeavons · Post by **Lesley Jeavons** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:18 pm

Welcome newbies, and especially Davey.

I'm Scottish but have never heard of Lesmahagow so googled maps, and oops, I'll have passed on the M7 on many occassion.

At first I thought you were just doing a play on words of Les Mckeown.

Look forward to your episode(s). (Don't tell us - it's a hanging offence in these parts!

)

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:58 pm

I'M NEW!
Pity my lack of knowledge but be jealous of my youthful naivity.
Got a lot of time at home recently, so got into countdown a couple of weeks ago. I'm not too bad though for a newbie. I don't have 0% win rate on apterous, so that's a start. Hope you guys don't bite.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:00 pm

Kieran Child wrote:Hope you guys don't bite.

Your hopes: don't get them up

.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:53 am

Louise Bambury wrote:I played someone who had been on before which I thought they had banned but clearly not...

Andrew Hulme?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:10 am

Hi, Kieran!

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:27 am

Welcome to the forum Davy and Kieran.

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:27 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Louise Bambury wrote:I played someone who had been on before which I thought they had banned but clearly not...
Andrew Hulme?

He hasn't reapplied yet. At least I don't think so.

Tracey Mills · Post by **Tracey Mills** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:29 pm

Hello my name is Tracey Mills and I am a former Countdown contestant that appeared on series 47 against Jeremy Slaney I lost my game by 4 points due to 1st half nerves, I enjoyed the experience of being on Countdown meeting Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman who were very nice indeed as were the production staff who made my day enjoyable.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:31 pm

Welcome to the forum Tracey.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:45 pm

Tracey, thank you for introducing yourself!

You don't sound shy after all!

I hope you enjoy it here!

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:40 pm

Tracey Mills wrote:Hello my name is Tracey Mills and I am a former Countdown contestant that appeared on series 47 against Jeremy Slaney I lost my game by 4 points due to 1st half nerves, I enjoyed the experience of being on Countdown meeting Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman who were very nice indeed as were the production staff who made my day enjoyable.

So if you'd have won, you'd have met Chris Wills almost immediately after!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:49 pm

Richard and Carol were indeed very nice!

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:17 am

Hi,

I'm not a new member here, I have been here more or less since the beginning, and on the Yahoo! mailing list before.

I am usually known as Dez on the Internet, and originally registered here as Vande. I have not, and never will, been/go on Countdown, but I have been watching it on and off since it started (when I was 6).

I have been watching it consistently since Des O'Connor joined, not because he seemed lively after the dour Des Lynam, but because Virgin record it for me every day, so I can enjoy it when I finally get in from work, to give my brain one last little shot before settling into an evening of average less cerebral TV fare.

Originally from Oxford, the famous architectural and intellectual city, I now live in the Swindon, the town of infamous roundabouts.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:39 pm

Hello there, Derek!

Welcome!

I seem to remember one member there with your last name. It must be pretty popular!

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:02 pm

Thank you Jason.

No, it is not a very common name, so it is probably me that you remember from the group.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:07 pm

Which Hazell?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:07 pm

I remember someone named Dez Hazell there who left the group and said they would no longer be posting.

So, it's a surprise to see you here?

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:01 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I remember someone named Dez Hazell there who left the group and said they would no longer be posting.

So, it's a surprise to see you here?

Good memory, Jason! I think I said I would no longer be posting when the group was moved to this forum. But, against my certainty I have been won round, and actually enjoy this forum more than Yahoo! groups now.

My favourite feature is being able to instantly jump to your first unread posts. I had never seen that feature on forums and message boards before.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:03 pm

Welcome to the forum Derek.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:21 pm

Joseph Bolas wrote:Welcome to the forum Derek.

Thank you Joseph

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:57 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:
Joseph Bolas wrote:Welcome to the forum Derek.
Thank you Joseph

You're welcome Derek

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:35 pm

Oh!

I thought for sure you had a female relative in the Yahoo group and her name might have been Desiree. Now, I see what's right here! Your real name is Derek, but your nickname is Dez.

How did you get the nickname Dez?

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:59 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:How did you get the nickname Dez?

It is just a shortened version of my name for the Internet, as Derek is one of those really cool names which often get confused with nerdiness.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:07 pm

Nice to meet you anyway, Derek!

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:37 pm

Peter Hood wrote:Hi I am Peter from the UK, I am a courier but in the past have been in IT and a driving instructor! I have watched just about all the episodes since countdown started!

Bit late now but- Peter, any relatives called Robin?

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:51 pm

oh zing. I bet you wish you'd have posted that straight away.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:50 pm

We're a clever group, aren't we?

Steve Rogers · Post by **Steve Rogers** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:11 pm

Hi all,

Forum & Apterous newbie here. Watched Countdown off and on since day 1 back in 1982. Now I've purchased myself a PVR - I now record every episode to watch as and when I can. Want to apply at some point, but really need to improve my letters games.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:41 pm

Hi, Steve!

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:42 pm

Welcome to the forum Steve.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:44 pm

Hello all - I've been a member for about a week now but (being quick on the uptake!) I've only just spotted this.
Anyway, nice to meet you and I look forward to playing many happy games with you

Lesley

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:49 pm

I don't think I've posted in this thread yet either.....

Anyways, I've been a member for a couple of weeks now and am sort of addicted to Apterous (which really isn't a good thing seeing as I have a dissertation to do!). Been a bit of a part-time countdown fan from the Whiteley era, but really got into it properly towards the end of the Des O'Connor period. As a huge Gillette Soccer Saturday fan, I was overjoyed when I heard the news that Jeff Stelling would be the new presenter.

I have recently applied for Series 61 and hope to go on, I'm not good enough to take it seriously and try to become an Octochamp or anything like that - I just want to go on because I think it would be a hugely enjoyable experience and you never know might snatch a win or two if the right opponents come along.

Darren

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:03 pm

Welcome to the forum Lesley and Darren

The best of luck to you Darren with your application.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:09 pm

Hello there, Lesley, and welcome to the forum! I take it you're a shy person who has just come out of your shell! As Charlie says, we don't bite. Also, remember, Apterous would never have been heard of if it weren't for the Countdown forum. Keep playing and getting better at it all the same!

Darren, I remember replying to something you said in one of the past threads here, but I forgot what it was! That's ok. Good luck with applying for Series 61. I hope you don't live too far from Manchester.

Your game show fan from across the pond and the other ocean,
Jason Larsen

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:38 pm

Jason Larsen wrote: I hope you don't live too far from Manchester.

Leicestershire, so it could be worse.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:47 pm

Good luck anyway, Darren!

Barry Evans · Post by **Barry Evans** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:30 pm

Hi! I've been playing apterous for a couple of weeks. Since I've started playing on there I'm totally addicted (!) and thought it was about time I took the plunge and joined the forum!

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:39 pm

I'm pleased you plunged Barry.
Welcome and I hope you enjoy it.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:40 pm

Welcome, Barry!

I am very happy!

Have fun with us!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:18 pm

Greeting c4countdowners!

I'm James Robinson, age 21, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire. I've been a fan of Countdown for virtually all my life. I first went on the show in Series 49 in 2003, just before my 15th birthday, where I lost to eventual 4th seed Ian Buckley. They then asked me back 6 weeks later to do one of the 25 special shows, which was eventually broadcast nearly 18 months later. I did win that by the way. In February 2009, I managed to successfully reapply to the show, returning to Leeds around a month later. I did OK, but was pretty miffed with one of my performances, but since they haven't been shown yet, I won't spoil it. The new set and the new team are superb, as was guest Tim Vine in DC, but I'm still "sort of" haunted by my failure second time round, since I doubt I'm in the finals. I'm first seen on April 21, so if you're not busy at the last recordings, then you can watch me on the show.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:24 pm

Welcome to the forum Barry and James.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:41 pm

James Robinson wrote:... I won't spoil it ...

You just have, you absolutely colossal mong. FFS, how stupid are some people?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:07 pm

Hi, James!

Welcome!

When you say you were on one of the 25 special shows, what do you mean? I know you weren't on Countdown's 25th anniversary special, but what show were you on?

I hope you enjoy posting here!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:47 pm

Jason,

If you look up the "Specials" page on The Countdown Page website, you'll see that in 2002/3, there were 25 special shows recorded (2 still haven't shown, probably because of Richard Whiteley's death), where various contestants from the past came back to play again. I was in one of the 2 kids specials shown, that was broadcast on 30th August 2004. It was actually going to be shown on 1st September 2003, but something happened, I think there was some cricket or something, so I had to wait ages for it to be shown. Interestingly, despite winning I actually didn't get a teapot for winning that show!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:43 pm

James:

If you remember, at the very beginning of the first Countdown shown after Richard's death, Carol gave him a touching tribute in which she was just about to cry at the very end.

However, that was the final week of Series 53.

When do you suppose they'll air your Countdown appearance, at Christmas time or something?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:02 pm

Jason,

If you read the message closely, I said that it was broadcast on 30th August 2004, so it has been broadcast. I even have it on tape if you don't believe me! It's only that 2 of the 25 haven't been shown.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:53 am

James:

I do not have a VCR.

Uploading it to Dailymotion would work for me.