Countdown has been airing on TV screens since 1982, so it comes as no surprise that some very rude words have been shared over the years.
Daily Star has taken a look at the show’s rudest words, as well as fun facts and the history of the show as the creator Marcel Stellman has sadly passed away.
The idea for Countdown came from the French game show Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres – Numbers And Letters. Stellman brought it to Britain, believing it could be popular overseas.
It was snapped up by Yorkshire Television as a spin-off of its regional news show Calendar under the name Calendar Countdown.
Calendar’s host Richard Whiteley was chosen to present it, sparking his nickname of “Twice Nightly Whiteley” due to his daily appearance on both programmes.
Then bought by Channel 4, it was the first thing broadcast on its launch night of November 2, 1982, with Whiteley’s opening line: “As the countdown to a brand-new channel ends, a brand-new Countdown begins.”
(Image: Channel 4)
Actress Cathy Hytner was the letters host until 1987, while Carol Vorderman was the maths expert from the first episode until her departure in 2008 over a pay dispute – notching up 26 years at the board.
Whiteley presented for almost 23 years until his sudden death after a heart operation in 2005. Countdown was taken off air that day as a mark of respect.
Des Lynam took over hosting duties until the end of 2006, followed by Des O’Connor to the end of 2008 and Jeff Stelling until 2011. Former Apprentice star Nick Hewer took over in 2012.
(Image: Channel 4)
But after he announced he was stepping down, it was revealed that Countdown is getting its first female host – Anne Robinson – who makes her debut next month. She will join maths expert Rachel Riley, who has been there since 2009, and Dictionary Corner’s Susie Dent, a regular since 1992.
With 83 series and nearly 7,500 episodes, it is one of the longest-running programmes ever in the world.
Cheryl Baker, Jo Brand, Alan Carr, Gino D’Acampo, Andi Peters and Ricky Tomlinson are among celebs who have graced Dictionary Corner.
Countdown is also famous for the rude words that Riley spells out on the letters board – including
“a**wipe” “orgasmed”, “horniest”, “perverts” and “erection”. She also appears on comedy spin-off 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
(Image: PA)
Rachel previously shared all of rude words on social media, posting pictures of the naughty reveals, including e ‘a**e’, ‘clit’, ‘sh*gs’, ‘no panties’, ‘vaginas’, ‘m***e’, ‘todgers’, ‘noshed’, ‘teabags’, ‘t**t’ and ‘OK I squirt’.
Other words included ‘p*ss’, gobsh*te’, ‘cottager’, and ‘aroused’, as well as ‘sugar t**t’ and ‘phallus’.
The highest score achieved in an episode is 152 by maths student Elliott Mellor in 2019, while the lowest score was just five by serial game show contestant Bernie Kingston last year.
One of the youngest Countdown players was eight-year-old Tanmay Dixit, whose offerings in the letters round included “fannies” and “farted”.
In 2006, 14-year-old Conor Travers became the youngest series champion in the show’s history.
Contestants have included Taskmaster’s Alex Horne in 2008 and footballers Clarke Carlisle and Matt Le Tissier – 2012 and 2015.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
