I used to be on Countdown – keyboard warriors are brutal about how we carry out however I used to be caught off guard with a nasty shock on the Channel 4 set
A former Countdown contestant has shared their experience on the Channel 4 programme, including one unpleasant surprise on the set.
First airing in 1982, Countdown sees contestants tackle linguistic and mathematical challenges while the clock ticks.
It is hosted by Colin Murray, 47, who stars alongside number expert Rachel Riley, 39 and lexicographer Susie Dent, 60.
An anonymous participant appeared on the game show back in 2023 and revealed how their episode went down in a forum post on Digital Spy.
One thing that they found particularly off-putting on the set was the iconic Countdown clock.
It makes a loud ticking sound alongside a theme song as the time runs down while the contestants figure out the answer.
Sharon Redrobe, pictured, featured on an episode of the game show in 2024 and was branded ‘one of the weakest contestants ever’ by a viewer
Another contestant, left, competing again Sharon, centre, on the Channel 4 show hosted by Colin Murray, right
An anonymous participant appeared on the game show back in 2023 and revealed how their episode went down in a forum post on Digital Spy
The former contestant wrote: ‘I can say from my trivial time on the show last year that it’s much easier when you’re sat at home, pausing as you please; much more relaxing than being in the studio, faced with cameras and feeling the pressure of the clock booming in each round (it’s not edited in, it plays whilst you’re there which caught me off guard a little when I was on).
‘With that in mind, it’s easy to make mistakes, but submitting words such as ‘STROL’ and ‘SCON’ is quite something.’
The comment came after Sharon Redrobe, from Stratford-upon-Avon, featured on an episode of the game show in 2024 and scored 20 points, while her competitor achieved 100.
One viewer took to the forum to criticise her performance on the programme and penned: ‘I know the stats would say otherwise, but Sharon must be one of the weakest contestants ever. Even allowing or the nerves associated, that was pretty awful.
‘I am glad that she seemed to be enjoying herself but I found it a bit painful to watch.’
Which prompted the anonymous former contestant to reply with their experience, starting their response with: ‘Intrigued by your comment, I’ve just watched today’s episode and I get what you mean.
The comment came after Sharon featured on an episode of the game show in 2024 and scored 20 points, while her competitor achieved 100
Sharon faced criticism after the show with one viewer taking to Digital Spy forum to share their take on the episode
‘As you say, Sharon was clearly enjoying herself although she is probably the worst contestant I’ve seen in a while (just pipped by Avi Sharma last year who scored zero which, after a certain point in the game from which he knew he mathematically couldn’t win, seemed to be a goal).’
At the end of their comment, the former contestant gave a nod to Sharon and added: ‘All that being said, I have my utmost respect for Sharon for going on and giving it a go.
‘She was clearly good enough given she met the high bar to pass the initial audition, but perhaps the nerves got the better of her on the show.’
Another previous contestant, Gary Woodward, won the show and revealed what filming it is really like.
He explained how the programme uses fake scenes to disguise rude answers and even has a special winners group – although not just anyone can be a member.
And according to the The Sun,, those aren’t the only secrets the show is hiding.
While the show may appear to be a slick operation to viewers, the reality is a different story
Most may assume that contestants can’t use swear words – but in fact they can, albeit with a reshooting twist.
The comment about Sharon (right) prompted another former contestant to share their experience of the show
Oxford and Cambridge university mathematician Dr Tom Crawford, left, will be stepping in for the game show’s number expert Rachel Riley, right
Very qualified for the new role, Dr Crawford has a PhD in Fluid Dynamics from the University of Cambridge and completed a maths degree at the University of Oxford
While the show won’t broadcast the original potty-mouthed answers, bosses still let contestants take home their points.
Instead producers of the show simply swap out the rude word for a more appropriate one with the same number of letters.
A former audience member, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Sun that one rude answer was so bad producers were forced to ban it from airing because of fears over complaints.
Earlier this week Countdown confirmed that Rachel Riley would be temporarily replaced by Cambridge and Oxford university mathematics boffin, Dr Tom Crawford.
Used to being behind a camera, Dr Crawford has made a name for himself with his impressive intellect and maths skills that he shows off on his YouTube channel.
Some of his videos have racked up millions of views and he regularly posts clips of himself tackling exams or discussing math-related topics.
Countdown airs weekdays on Channel 4 and is available to stream on channel4.com.
