Spoilers For Friday December 18th 2009 Grand Final

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:08 pm

Well, it has arrived. The last Countdown of 2009, which can only mean that it's the Grand Final of Series 61.

Who will glisten like gold, and who will not? Even though there will be a winner and a loser today, neither of these competitors are losers, they're both champions. Both contestants have shown enough skill in this series to merit a victory, but who will reign supreme

The battle is between Stamford's Andrew Hulme & Greasby's Chris Davies. Which one will join the elite list of people with the title of Countdown Series Champion. Who will join the likes of Mark Nyman, Allan Saldanha, Harvey Freeman, Damian Eadie, Julian Fell, Conor Travers & Kirk Bevins, amongst others

Here are the stats of the contenders to the title:-

Firstly, Number 1 Seed Andrew Hulme - 10 Wins, 1,111 Points

Highest Score: 133 vs. Micheal Harris (1st Game)
Lowest Score: 86 vs. Jacqueline Baker (Quarter-Final)
9's Achieved: 7
Conundrum Success: 7/10

Secondly, Number 2 Seed Chris Davies - 10 Wins, 1,102 Points

Highest Score: 139 vs. Ross Mackenzie (5th Game)
Lowest Score: 95 vs. Matt Shepherd (2nd Game)
9's Achieved: 6
Conundrum Success: 8/10

Those stats are mid-bogglingly extraordinary. I reckon this is going to be one of the best games of all-time, although how you can top yesterday's game, I don't know.

Everyone, sit back and enjoy the show, because it'll be the last time you'll get to do it this year

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:02 pm

Auful.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:18 pm

muscle men

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:19 pm

I'm really looking forward to the climax today (and I don't mean what's going on in Dinos' and Charlies' pants)
Hope it lives up to the hype.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:04 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:muscle men

Martyn Simpson · Post by **Martyn Simpson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:29 pm

looking forward to this! good luck guys!

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:39 pm

All small way for first numbers: (1+10)x3x2x6 = 396

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:41 pm

High standard so far - keep it up lads!

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:44 pm

I assume that Chris actually won the toss.

Mark Kudlowski · Post by **Mark Kudlowski** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:54 pm

2nd numbers alt:

(75 x 4) - ((5 x 9) + 7)

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:55 pm

Marc Meakin wrote:I assume that Chris actually won the toss.

The tossing was not witnessed by the audience.

Liam Tiernan · Post by **Liam Tiernan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:59 pm

Why no subtitles, today of all days?

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:05 pm

Liam Tiernan wrote:Why no subtitles, today of all days?

I have subtitles here, Liam.

Mark Harrison · Post by **Mark Harrison** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:06 pm

Congratulations Chris, very well deserved. Great series all round.

Martyn Simpson · Post by **Martyn Simpson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:07 pm

haha, genius conundrum there Damian.

And a massive well done to both players.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:09 pm

Congratulations to Chris, well played.
Unlucky Andrew with that dodgy 9.
Bring on the blogging.

James Doohan · Post by **James Doohan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:10 pm

Congratulations Chris, absolutely brilliant

AnnieHall · Post by **AnnieHall** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:11 pm

Congratulations Chris- I always hoped you would win, and such an unassuming guy,

Well done, well done!!!

You deserve it!

Liam Tiernan · Post by **Liam Tiernan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:11 pm

Chris Philpot wrote:
Liam Tiernan wrote:Why no subtitles, today of all days?
I have subtitles here, Liam.

Not on mine . Bloody annoying.
Well done to Chris, brilliant game.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:12 pm

Well done Chris, you were superb throughout the whole series and unlucky Andrew - you played excellently in the final and were very gracious in defeat. One letter off ROADHOUSE...how strange that would have been!

Fantastic series - one of the best yet. Let's hope Series 62 is even more exciting!

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:17 pm

Very well played Andrew, but congratulations to Chris on a superb win. You deserve it just for EPITUSSLE yesterday!

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:17 pm

Congrats, Chris, and well played both of you.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:20 pm

Damian, I heard a clatter at the end that sounded like a lid falling on the floor. Did you use the video of the retake but keep the original audio because the applause was better?

AnnieHall · Post by **AnnieHall** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:22 pm

Do you think Chris will one day play Kirk in a "Champion of Champions" final? Who would win it, I wonder???

Jojo Apollo · Post by **Jojo Apollo** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:22 pm

Good final, well played lads. Congrats to Chris, you now take your well earned place amongst the Countdown greats.

Also congrats to Andrew on making the final and that superb record breaking run.

Thanks to Jeff, Rachel, Damian, Susie and the rest of production crew for yet another great series. It was very enjoyable to watch.

Steve Durney · Post by **Steve Durney** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:23 pm

Congratulations Chris! May not have had the drama of yesterday but still a great final nonetheless. Already looking forward to S62!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:54 pm

Well done, Chris. A very superb performance worthy of being next to those other champions that I mentioned at the start of the thread.

Commiserations, Andrew. You performed very well to get to the final, but Chris somehow (after yesterday's game) managed to find another gear.

Great game. Well done to you both.

One other point, nice to see the clock returned to the end of the credits, if only for one show.

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:17 pm

Congratulations both on a terrific final and especially Chris; a truly superb effort. I'm gutted I didn't make it to the recordings, I missed some incredible stuff. Best series in quite a while.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:21 pm

Congratulations Chris, a very worthy winner indeed. All the finalists this year were superb and made it a very special occasion to watch. Here's hoping for more of the same next series!

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:28 pm

Yeah, well done to everyone involved in the show and who took part in the series and especially to you Chris. Really enjoyed watching and looking forward to the next one. Hope everyone has a nice Christmas.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:52 pm

Well done Chris, you did very well to win what has probably been on of the best series of countdown ever. Commiserations to Andrew, but also congratulations on getting to the final.

Chris' 117 score is the second highest grand final score in the 15 round era. (I've not checked CofC final score yet)

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:53 pm

Alec Rivers wrote:Damian, I heard a clatter at the end that sounded like a lid falling on the floor. Did you use the video of the retake but keep the original audio because the applause was better?

If you also heard Jack Hurst dying of laughter and nearly needing me to give him the Heimlich manoeuvre, then yes.

And well done Chris, I know I said it at the time but you are indeed a worthy champion!

Richard Brittain · Post by **Richard Brittain** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:12 pm

I was trying to ascertain whether Chris knew the word 'allotrope' before either of them buzzed in. I wasn't sure, but 1.5 seconds into it I was trying to read their expressions and find out whether either was going to get it. I wasn't too sure, but I was pleased when Chris buzzed in, because I could see that he had an allotropic expression on his face; I knew he had the answer, although I almost thought Andrew was going to buzz in 4 seconds previously and pip me to it. Unlucky. But hey, if he had beaten me to it, it wouldn't have surprised me because my brain is a little scrambled right now after I almost decided to leap to my death from the top of the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:19 pm

Congratulations to Chris, and also to Andrew for all he has achieved this series (considering the fanfare Kirk got over breaking Fell's record I don't really think you've been given enough credit for SMASHING it again).

Awesome stuff, great series and great finals.

Erm.... anyone good coming up in S62 then or have we shot our apterous bolt with these guys?

If it makes you feel any better Andrew, I went for HOUSELOAD too (and you beat me by a point from my Armchair hero armchair)

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:30 pm

Great game, great finals, great series. Well done Chris for being awesomesauce and Andrew for being the best-looking series loser since Series 59.

Jon Corby wrote: Erm.... anyone good coming up in S62 then or have we shot our apterous bolt with these guys?

Oliver Garner has recorded already, plus possibly Michael Davidson, Eoin Monaghan, Dale Levell etc etc... There's masses of apterous quality still to come, although I'm not sure how many of them will want to be in the same series.

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:35 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:Great game, great finals, great series. Well done Chris for being awesomesauce and Andrew for being the best-looking series loser since Series 59.

Jon Corby wrote: Erm.... anyone good coming up in S62 then or have we shot our apterous bolt with these guys?
Oliver Garner has recorded already, plus possibly Michael Davidson, Eoin Monaghan, Dale Levell etc etc... There's masses of apterous quality still to come, although I'm not sure how many of them will want to be in the same series.

I'm not going on this series.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:43 pm

Great stuff lads, and well done Chris, really consistent performance.

Philip Jarvis · Post by **Philip Jarvis** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:17 pm

Having only just watched the game on Sky+, I was surprised that we weren't on page 3 of the spoiler by now (judging by the contributions in recent days).

Extremely well played Chris and congratulations on becoming Series 61 Champion. Well done also to Andrew for your record breaking 8 game run and a fantastic attempt to keep up with Chris until the latter stages of the final. From a personal perspective, I was left in the starting blocks with some of the words you both came up with today.

Well done - your contribution (together with that of Innis, Ryan and others) has been immense in terms of the entertainment value in this series.

Philip Jarvis · Post by **Philip Jarvis** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:22 pm

Richard Brittain wrote:I was trying to ascertain whether Chris knew the word 'allotrope' before either of them buzzed in. I wasn't sure, but 1.5 seconds into it I was trying to read their expressions and find out whether either was going to get it. I wasn't too sure, but I was pleased when Chris buzzed in, because I could see that he had an allotropic expression on his face; I knew he had the answer, although I almost thought Andrew was going to buzz in 4 seconds previously and pip me to it. Unlucky. But hey, if he had beaten me to it, it wouldn't have surprised me because my brain is a little scrambled right now after I almost decided to leap to my death from the top of the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur.

Following the interchange yesterday between Messrs Beevers & Eadie, I await their reaction to this mickey take with bated breath.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:25 pm

Congrats Chris, enjoyed this game. Andrew, enjoy your grand in the hand

Eoin Monaghan wrote:I'm not going on this series.

Right, downloading an application form as we speak...

Though in seriousness it looks like I'm going to hold off applying for at least a year. Kind of wanted to go on before my hairline visibly receded but I guess it's not going to happen.

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:51 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:Andrew, enjoy your grand in the hand

That went in a poker game on the Wednesday night.

Philip Jarvis · Post by **Philip Jarvis** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:51 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:Congrats Chris, enjoyed this game. Andrew, enjoy your grand in the hand

Eoin Monaghan wrote:I'm not going on this series.
Right, downloading an application form as we speak...

Though in seriousness it looks like I'm going to hold off applying for at least a year. Kind of wanted to go on before my hairline visibly receded but I guess it's not going to happen.

Ben mate

You're well good enough now - get your application in - ASAP. Provided the lottery of your initial opponent smiles kindly on you, you're more than capable of putting a good string of games together. If you do get to the quarters, please reserve me a seat in the audience.

p.s. I've got a good set of clippers I can lend you if you want your hairline to recede at a quicker rate than nature will allow.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:43 pm

Philip Jarvis wrote:get your application in - ASAP

I meant that I'm going to be sorting lots of stuff out next year that means I won't be able to apply and stick to a date, but thanks anyway

(this stuff probably belongs in another thread...)

Series 61 was too awesome, can't wait to see who the octochamps will be in the next series. Hoping for some scrabble gods to bring the killer words.

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:26 pm

Congratulations to Chris and commiserations to Andrew. To play a match against Andrew and not lose any round is pretty difficult to say the least, so Chris is a worthy winner. It didn't look like Andrew was too disappointed with £1000 though, so well done to both players.

Joyce Phillips · Post by **Joyce Phillips** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:35 pm

Congratulations to Chris. I think the adrenalin from yesterday was still working today. Well done Andrew. Two worthy finalists.

Keith Bevins · Post by **Keith Bevins** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:22 pm

Congratulations to Chris on becoming S61 champion. Well played too to Andrew and the rest of the QF and SF contestants for making the final stages so memorable.

Keith

Chris Davies · Post by **Chris Davies** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:19 am

Thanks everyone! I am thrilled to be the series champion

I enjoyed every minute I was on the show. The whole team and the production staff were great, and I would recommend that anyone who feels like applying for the show just go ahead and do it! I would do it all over again anytime.
I've had so much encouragement from my family and friends, and the members of apterous and this forum - even the malaperts at Digital Spy can't get to me

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:23 am

Chris Davies wrote:Thanks everyone! I am thrilled to be the series champion
I enjoyed every minute I was on the show. The whole team and the production staff were great, and I would recommend that anyone who feels like applying for the show just go ahead and do it! I would do it all over again anytime.
I've had so much encouragement from my family and friends, and the members of apterous and this forum - even the malaperts at Digital Spy can't get to me

You truly are a worthy winner and an early favourite for the next COC.
Will you be posting a winners report soon?

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:27 am

Chris Davies wrote:even the malaperts at Digital Spy can't get to me

Now that's why he's the champ - he knows great nines and isn't afraid to use them. Congrats on a truly superb (I'm plumb out of superlatives) win and an awesome final. Commiserations to Andrew but what a player! Thanks to both for a spectacular end to an amazing series

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:34 am

Marc Meakin wrote:an early favourite for the next COC.

I'm cimping just thinking about, to be honest. So many incredibly sexy matchups, and Davies/Bevins is just one of them.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:43 am

Charlie Reams wrote:
Marc Meakin wrote:an early favourite for the next COC.
I'm cimping just thinking about, to be honest. So many incredibly sexy matchups, and Davies/Bevins is just one of them.

I'd like to see a Beevers/Bevins matchup.

Andrew Hulme · Post by **Andrew Hulme** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:39 am

Jon Corby wrote:
If it makes you feel any better Andrew, I went for HOUSELOAD too (and you beat me by a point from my Armchair hero armchair)

Guess this does actually make me feel like less of a tard.

Andy Wilson wrote:
Ben Hunter wrote:Andrew, enjoy your grand in the hand
That went in a poker game on the Wednesday night.

You joke, but I did bust the first day of a £1k tournament this afternoon at roughly exactly the same time I imagine Rory would have presented me with the cheque!

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:01 am

Unlucky Andrew, well done Chris. Corby pointed out to me that we haven't really given Andrew sufficient praise for being the highest scoring octochamp of all time and I think he has a valid point so here's to ya Andrew! Also, you conducted yourself very well, never really taking it all too seriously because after all it's only a parlour game!

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:23 am

David O'Donnell wrote:Unlucky Andrew, well done Chris. Corby pointed out to me that we haven't really given Andrew sufficient praise for being the highest scoring octochamp of all time and I think he has a valid point so here's to ya Andrew! Also, you conducted yourself very well, never really taking it all too seriously because after all it's only a parlour game!

Agree - agree - agree - but 'parlour game' ??
I once got pilloried for calling Countdown 'only a game'.
Susie would have something to say about 'parlour' (along with dial and hang up)

Martin Smith · Post by **Martin Smith** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:00 pm

A great final to round off the year. When Andrew said 'nine' I momentarily thought the letters made 'HOUSEHOLD', so it was a dramatic moment. I had a feeling Chris would win despite Andrew's record score, but it was very tense throughout. I would hardly have scored in any letters rounds and I did okay against DO'D on the show, whcih tells you how impressive the standard was.

Conor · Post by **Conor** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:50 pm

Fantastic final (the only episode I've seen for months due to being at university) - out of interest, did you have SHOALED, Andrew? Not that it ultimately would've changed anything. To add to the "oh-so-nearly"s of round 13: only one letter away from HEADLOUSE. Which is actually two words. So not that nearly after all. The conundrum spot was especially impressive; I was nowhere. (Though I was pleasantly surprised I managed to hold my own elsewhere.)

So, err, congratulations Chris and commiserations Andrew - I look forward to seeing you at the next CoC/(Supreme Championship

).

Chris Davies · Post by **Chris Davies** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:27 pm

Conor wrote:Fantastic final (the only episode I've seen for months due to being at university) - out of interest, did you have SHOALED, Andrew? Not that it ultimately would've changed anything. To add to the "oh-so-nearly"s of round 13: only one letter away from HEADLOUSE. Which is actually two words. So not that nearly after all. The conundrum spot was especially impressive; I was nowhere. (Though I was pleasantly surprised I managed to hold my own elsewhere.)

So, err, congratulations Chris and commiserations Andrew - I look forward to seeing you at the next CoC/(Supreme Championship ).

Thanks

I actually had SHOALED, no idea why I decided it wasn't a word.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:47 am

Chris Davies wrote:I've had so much encouragement from my family and friends, and the members of apterous and this forum - even the malaperts at Digital Spy can't get to me

Nice one Chris. Nor can the person on the Channel 4 website who thinks you are a missing boy using a different name! Your family were sitting right behind me during the final, so I for one can testify that you're not Andrew Gosden (or even Chris Evans come to that).

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:05 pm

I'm sorry, but... pfhahahahah.

Jeff Sterling certainly looked dashing in his black tie alright.

Craig Beevers · Post by **Craig Beevers** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:38 pm

Was a fairly typical but tight front-runner's final really. Andrew had a couple of opportunities to close the gap but would have still needed the conundrum.

Will be interesting to see how many from this series come back for the CoC, looks to be a strong lineup already and will only get stronger.