c4countdown

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:18 am**

I probably had a better chance of doing well pre apterous as the standards in the last 15 to 20 years have improved immensely

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:28 am**

Marc Meakin wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:18 am I probably had a better chance of doing well pre apterous as the standards in the last 15 to 20 years have improved immensely

Oh massively - apto has made the standard truly ridiculous. Some amazing players pre apto but it's genuinely night and day levels at the moment.

Quite sad about that still!

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:06 pm**

Adam S Latchford wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:28 am
Marc Meakin wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:18 am I probably had a better chance of doing well pre apterous as the standards in the last 15 to 20 years have improved immensely
Oh massively - apto has made the standard truly ridiculous. Some amazing players pre apto but it's genuinely night and day levels at the moment.

Quite sad about that still!

Obviously true for the top players. But I'm not sure it's true for the rest - there's probably an 'Ask Graeme' in there.
It's more than just apterous though. The print dictionary was the only prize of any real value, so I don't suppose many people would have bought one beforehand. So if you were watching an episode and came up with a DC beater there was no way of checking it was actually valid. I do remember spotting something like DILATORS once and going into WH Smiths in my lunchtime the following day to see if it was OK.

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:39 pm**

Print dictionaries were quite a common household item back in the olden days! And Oxford one of the more common brands. I don't think people would have decided not to buy one because they might go on Countdown in a few years if they get round to it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:57 pm**

I don't think many people would have shelled out for something like the NODE. I think I used to have a ten year-old Concise Oxford Dictionary and a Collins Dictionary that pre-dated the invention of the aeroplane.

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:30 am**

I think I got a NODE for Christmas about 20 years ago.

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:11 am**

I bought my wife the Ninth edition of the Concise twenty odd years ago for her Christmas present as she had just introduced me to Countdown. She wasn't amused!

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 6:40 pm**

Steve Hyde wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:51 pm
Dame Eadie wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:00 pm
We've even had people use different names 2nd time around to avoid detection.
They're a sneaky pair are Kostadinos Sfyris and Matt Croy

For the avoidance of doubt, this was 100% a joke, Matt and Dinos's second appearances were fully above board, and I'm *really* intrigued to find out who has actually done this

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:29 pm**

I can confirm that I was not one of these culprits in case you were wondering

I was very clear on my application form for my second stint of my name change.

Steve Hyde wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 6:40 pm
Steve Hyde wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:51 pm
Dame Eadie wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:00 pm
We've even had people use different names 2nd time around to avoid detection.
They're a sneaky pair are Kostadinos Sfyris and Matt Croy
For the avoidance of doubt, this was 100% a joke, Matt and Dinos's second appearances were fully above board, and I'm *really* intrigued to find out who has actually done this

In terms of this conversation in general, I consider myself very privileged to have had 2 stints on the show. Like a lot of people, I discovered Apterous after I had passed my initial audition in 2011, so I didn't have a lot of time to practise before filming. I was asked to be a standby contestant due to living close to the studios so I got on quite quickly; somehow I managed to win 5 shows but didn't make the finals. I was even invited back for a one off special the year after (which ended up being shown at 6am 2½ years later). At the time, I genuinely thought that was that for appearing on the show.

For me, the realisation that I could possibly be considered to go back on again was Zarte's reappearance, considering he had also won 5 shows and also didn't make the series finals. I decided to wait the official/unofficial 10 years until attempting so and just thought 'why not, they can only say No'. Just because Zarte had gone back on, I didn't have any expectation that I would be allowed back on too as I understood it's purely at the discretion of the CD crew. It took about 6 months between applying and getting an email inviting me for an audition, then being a standby contestant again and getting back on in Series 85. I almost lost my first game of my return, but thanks to spotting MALONATES in the last letters game (of which I learnt from Apterous of course) I won and ended up being the series runner-up, the icing on the cake was then to be asked back for CoC recently too.

I would say, I did put a lot of pressure on myself to do better second time round. I knew I was a better player, but it all depends who you are facing on the day. I remember during my Octorun checking all the names on the outside of the other dressing room doors to see if I recognised them from Apterous

For me personally, I feel very very lucky to have been on 19 shows of Countdown and I have memories that will last with me forever and I'm eternally grateful to Damian and the rest of the crew for allowing me to have another stint. They're all a friendly bunch and you really do feel welcomed into the Countdown family when you are there. I would encourage anyone who has been on before to apply, the worst that can happen is they say No.

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:38 pm**

I'm already considering the name change option, I won't go for a gender change though.
Although according to Marks and Spencer, I identify as "serves 4"

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:57 pm**

Was Series 12's Karl Kurdistan (formerly Series 1's Saladin Khoshnaw) a slip-through or was the team aware?

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2023 11:07 pm**

Johnny Canuck wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:57 pm Was Series 12's Karl Kurdistan (formerly Series 1's Saladin Khoshnaw) a slip-through or was the team aware?

I'm sure I read a thing about him being allowed back on for diversity reasons or something.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:34 am**

Gavin Chipper wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 11:07 pm
Johnny Canuck wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:57 pm Was Series 12's Karl Kurdistan (formerly Series 1's Saladin Khoshnaw) a slip-through or was the team aware?
I'm sure I read a thing about him being allowed back on for diversity reasons or something.

https://world-scrabble.yahoogroups.nark ... l-khoshnaw

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:27 am**

Nice find.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:52 am**

Trevor Montague appeared on Fifteen-to-One in 1990, and again in 1992 under a different name and while wearing a disguise. At the time losers couldn’t take part again. He was eventually sued after a viewer spotted his tactic on a Challenge repeat. He did the same tactic on The Krypton Factor but this wasn’t noticed.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:58 am**

Philip A wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:52 am Trevor Montague appeared on Fifteen-to-One in 1990, and again in 1992 under a different name and while wearing a disguise. At the time losers couldn’t take part again. He was eventually sued after a viewer spotted his tactic on a Challenge repeat.

I did think of him actually. Considered posting but didn't get round to it!

He did the same tactic on The Krypton Factor but this wasn’t noticed.

I didn't know this though. But he someone must have noticed at some point because you know about it!

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:48 am**

Gavin Chipper wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:58 am
Philip A wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:52 am Trevor Montague appeared on Fifteen-to-One in 1990, and again in 1992 under a different name and while wearing a disguise. At the time losers couldn’t take part again. He was eventually sued after a viewer spotted his tactic on a Challenge repeat.
I did think of him actually. Considered posting but didn't get round to it!
He did the same tactic on The Krypton Factor but this wasn’t noticed.
I didn't know this though. But he someone must have noticed at some point because you know about it!

‘Wasn’t’ being the operative word.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:01 am**

IIRC, Montague was sued by W.G Stewart for winning a trophy, not for taking part in disguise.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:20 am**

samir pilica wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:01 am IIRC, Montague was sued by W.G Stewart for winning a trophy, not for taking part in disguise.

Sounds realistic. I don't think someone sneaking on a gameshow against the rules would go to court. Obtaining something of value through deception is a much bigger deal.

Posted: **Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:44 am**

Stewart was very fond of those trophies, which he chose himself. Not sure if he himself paid for it. Probably not, looked quite pricey antiques. Remember him harping on endlessly about Elgin Marbles…

Posted: **Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:19 pm**

What about the bloke who pretended to be Scottish to get on the X factor twice?

Posted: **Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:36 pm**

JackHurst wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:19 pm What about the bloke who pretended to be Scottish to get on the X factor twice?

Oh yeah. I wonder what become of him...

Posted: **Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:30 pm**

I don't have any regrets in reapplying so glad that I did it and even happier when I bagged the teapot and getting to the final of my series

Posted: **Wed Mar 29, 2023 9:02 am**

In unrelated news, I've just found my long lost identical twin...

Posted: **Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:03 pm**

Fiona T wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 9:02 am In unrelated news, I've just found my long lost identical twin...

Did you go on holiday to find yourself

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2023 7:47 pm**

Matt OConnor wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:29 pm I can confirm that I was not one of these culprits in case you were wondering I was very clear on my application form for my second stint of my name change.

Steve Hyde wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 6:40 pm
Steve Hyde wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:51 pm
They're a sneaky pair are Kostadinos Sfyris and Matt Croy
For the avoidance of doubt, this was 100% a joke, Matt and Dinos's second appearances were fully above board, and I'm *really* intrigued to find out who has actually done this

In terms of this conversation in general, I consider myself very privileged to have had 2 stints on the show. Like a lot of people, I discovered Apterous after I had passed my initial audition in 2011, so I didn't have a lot of time to practise before filming. I was asked to be a standby contestant due to living close to the studios so I got on quite quickly; somehow I managed to win 5 shows but didn't make the finals. I was even invited back for a one off special the year after (which ended up being shown at 6am 2½ years later). At the time, I genuinely thought that was that for appearing on the show.

For me, the realisation that I could possibly be considered to go back on again was Zarte's reappearance, considering he had also won 5 shows and also didn't make the series finals. I decided to wait the official/unofficial 10 years until attempting so and just thought 'why not, they can only say No'. Just because Zarte had gone back on, I didn't have any expectation that I would be allowed back on too as I understood it's purely at the discretion of the CD crew. It took about 6 months between applying and getting an email inviting me for an audition, then being a standby contestant again and getting back on in Series 85. I almost lost my first game of my return, but thanks to spotting MALONATES in the last letters game (of which I learnt from Apterous of course) I won and ended up being the series runner-up, the icing on the cake was then to be asked back for CoC recently too.

I would say, I did put a lot of pressure on myself to do better second time round. I knew I was a better player, but it all depends who you are facing on the day. I remember during my Octorun checking all the names on the outside of the other dressing room doors to see if I recognised them from Apterous

For me personally, I feel very very lucky to have been on 19 shows of Countdown and I have memories that will last with me forever and I'm eternally grateful to Damian and the rest of the crew for allowing me to have another stint. They're all a friendly bunch and you really do feel welcomed into the Countdown family when you are there. I would encourage anyone who has been on before to apply, the worst that can happen is they say No.

You encouraged me have to another go at Countdown , I am so glad that I made that decision after you and others pushed me hard to reapply I did exactly that. David Barnard and you said I would smash it ! I certainly did that. As you have said in your thread Damian and company are really nice and always make you feel welcome and at ease, Nonetheless It is a great experience and I highly recommend it, regardless of how you do on the show it is a fun day out the crew will look after you.

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2023 3:11 pm**

Philip A wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:52 am Trevor Montague appeared on Fifteen-to-One in 1990, and again in 1992 under a different name and while wearing a disguise. At the time losers couldn’t take part again. He was eventually sued after a viewer spotted his tactic on a Challenge repeat. He did the same tactic on The Krypton Factor but this wasn’t noticed.

Trevor Montague was on countdown in 1998

https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_2219

https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_2220

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2023 3:22 pm**

Tracey Anne Mills wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 3:11 pm
Philip A wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:52 am Trevor Montague appeared on Fifteen-to-One in 1990, and again in 1992 under a different name and while wearing a disguise. At the time losers couldn’t take part again. He was eventually sued after a viewer spotted his tactic on a Challenge repeat. He did the same tactic on The Krypton Factor but this wasn’t noticed.
Trevor Montague was on countdown in 1998

https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_2219

https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_2220

I have a copy of his facts book, The A to Z of (Almost) Everything.

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2023 9:08 pm**

This month marks the tenth anniversary of my appearance on Countdown, and now I'm getting ready to reapply but also nervous for some reason. My first game was against an Octochamp and I didn't acquit myself as well as I feel I could have, and I don't want a repeat of that. AHH!

Posted: **Sat May 25, 2024 10:08 am**

Petition to get this guy https://wiki.apterous.org/Richard_Williams invited back early. He was the only guy to lay a glove on Ahmed in series 84, and the most recent heat player to take an eventual series champ to a crucial. It would be a tragedy to make him wait until 2031.

Posted: **Sun May 26, 2024 9:11 pm**

JackHurst wrote: Sat May 25, 2024 10:08 am Petition to get this guy https://wiki.apterous.org/Richard_Williams invited back early. He was the only guy to lay a glove on Ahmed in series 84, and the most recent heat player to take an eventual series champ to a crucial. It would be a tragedy to make him wait until 2031.

Richard was very good.

Aced all the math rounds and only lost coz Ahmed wheeled out some super-obscure biology/chemistry terms at the last minute.

Posted: **Mon May 27, 2024 5:59 pm**

JackHurst wrote: Sat May 25, 2024 10:08 am Petition to get this guy https://wiki.apterous.org/Richard_Williams invited back early. He was the only guy to lay a glove on Ahmed in series 84, and the most recent heat player to take an eventual series champ to a crucial. It would be a tragedy to make him wait until 2031.

AGREED, legit thought Ahmed was toast in this game. And seeing him on Zoomdown really showed more of his prowess.

Posted: **Mon May 27, 2024 11:35 pm**

I think one of the problems with being a contestant on any of these television shows is no matter how good or competitive you are there is simply no immunity to being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. At some point there’s just no way of escaping a evenly-matched or better opponent/competition. Some margins of error are very fine and any TV run can be all or nothing. You can even get kicked out last minute by a new research team before you even make it to air. TV is extremely, notoriously, utterly fickle. Wouldn’t hold your breath re Williams. Allowing people to return earlier than others runs the risk of over-entitlement. Whole thing’s a minefield, basically.

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 1:05 pm**

Fun fact: Richard Williams is David Williams's son.

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 5:08 pm**

Gavin Chipper wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 1:05 pm Fun fact: Richard Williams is David Williams's son.

So what you are saying is, this was David Williams getting on for a second go via propagation of his genes. Smart move.

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 5:51 pm**

Equally fun fact: this Richard Williams is not the subject of the biopic King Richard, that was about tennis or some such nonsense. My disappointment knows no bounds

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 5:59 pm**

Attended a couple of events - played extremely well! Hope he does reapply when his time comes and gets a slightly friendlier draw!

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 7:23 pm**

In the meantime he can come round and look at my teapot any time he wants.

Posted: **Thu May 30, 2024 6:32 pm**

Fiona T wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 5:59 pm Attended a couple of events - played extremely well! Hope he does reapply when his time comes and gets a slightly friendlier draw!

He was incredible at Co:Man 2020

Posted: **Fri May 31, 2024 4:08 pm**

Callum Todd wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 6:32 pm
Fiona T wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 5:59 pm Attended a couple of events - played extremely well! Hope he does reapply when his time comes and gets a slightly friendlier draw!
He was incredible at Co:Man 2020

He took me to a crucial in 2022 but I won in the end

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2024 7:26 am**

Is there a prize for winning co-events ?

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:49 am**

Jamie Weisenberg wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 7:26 am Is there a prize for winning co-events ?

Well there’s prizes for winners, yes, and there’s prizes for top 3 and other achievements depending on the event. Some events even hand out souvenirs to all entrants so that nobody leaves empty handed. You can win prizes from side events like quizzes and darts games too. That’s how generous the events are and it’s part of the incentive to show up and have fun. Do it.

On a side note, I wish Colin Murray would actually mention the goodie bad to non-winners on the show though. Each time a challenger doesn’t win the consolation prizes are never shown nor mentioned, giving an illusion they win nothing when they don’t. Doesn’t feel right.

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2024 10:19 am**

Philip A wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:49 am
Jamie Weisenberg wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 7:26 am Is there a prize for winning co-events ?
Well there’s prizes for winners, yes, and there’s prizes for top 3 and other achievements depending on the event. Some events even hand out souvenirs to all entrants so that nobody leaves empty handed. You can win prizes from side events like quizzes and darts games too. That’s how generous the events are and it’s part of the incentive to show up and have fun. Do it.

On a side note, I wish Colin Murray would actually mention the goodie bad to non-winners on the show though. Each time a challenger doesn’t win the consolation prizes are never shown nor mentioned, giving an illusion they win nothing when they don’t. Doesn’t feel right.

Has he stopped saying it then?
My pen has just recently run out of ink .
Still haven't looked at Susies book yet

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2024 1:29 pm**

Marc Meakin wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 10:19 am
Philip A wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:49 am
Jamie Weisenberg wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2024 7:26 am Is there a prize for winning co-events ?
Well there’s prizes for winners, yes, and there’s prizes for top 3 and other achievements depending on the event. Some events even hand out souvenirs to all entrants so that nobody leaves empty handed. You can win prizes from side events like quizzes and darts games too. That’s how generous the events are and it’s part of the incentive to show up and have fun. Do it.

On a side note, I wish Colin Murray would actually mention the goodie bad to non-winners on the show though. Each time a challenger doesn’t win the consolation prizes are never shown nor mentioned, giving an illusion they win nothing when they don’t. Doesn’t feel right.
Has he stopped saying it then?
My pen has just recently run out of ink .
Still haven't looked at Susies book yet

He still mentions the teapot to unseated winners, but does not mention the goodie bag to challengers who leave without a win. Think the goodie bad is just a little wind-up clock and a pen and pencil now (the old paper dictionary is gone as it’s heavy and outmoded). Not really a good incentive for new or returning players. I got Word Perfect for Christmas in 2020 and it’s a lovely read. They should definitely add the new puzzle book.

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2024 9:50 am**

Interesting read, I'm another contemplating another application (11 years since I played 1, lost 1 in the bloodbath of Series 69)

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2024 10:54 pm**

sean d wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2024 9:50 am Interesting read, I'm another contemplating another application (11 years since I played 1, lost 1 in the bloodbath of Series 69)

Go for it !

c4countdown

Getting back on for a second go

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