This was the first program broadcast on Channel Four, the UK's fourth television network.
Was originally broadcast on British regional TV channel Yorkshire Television, at 6.30pm following the local news programme "Calendar" (1968), and was originally called "Calendar Countdown". Richard Whiteley was (and had been for years) a presenter on "Calendar" from 1968 until 1995. "Countdown" shortly thereafter moved to Channel 4 upon that channel's launch. Originally, Carol Vorderman (then a newcomer) was only there to perform the numbers rounds of the game - the letters rounds were presented in the early series by another hostess.
In May 2005, Richard Whiteley caught pneumonia, and his position as host was to be temporarily filled by a series of guest presenters during the recording of Series 54. He later died in June, and after auditions for a new host the show returned in October hosted by Desmond Lynam. The guest-presented episodes were never aired, and a new Series 54 was recorded instead. Others who auditioned included Richard Digance and Noel Edmonds; Paul Merton was also rumored to have been under consideration.
The show's format is based on that of the French game show "Des chiffres et des lettres" (1972).
Desmond Lynam's departure from the show was due to his travel requirements, which necessitated a journey of 250 miles to the studio in Leeds from his home in Worthing, West Sussex.
25 themed specials were recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast (in 2003-2005), and which each featured two previous contestants. The other two specials were never broadcast because they were presented by Richard Whiteley, and as the specials were only intended to be broadcast infrequently (some were scheduled, others shown in place of cricket matches), Whiteley died in 2005 before the last two could be shown and they have not been broadcast since. One was based around the theme of a replayed final, and the other was based around the theme of old Countdownians.
The very last letter Carol Vorderman ever put on the letters board was a "T" in her last episode.
The last numbers game total ever solved was 297 in Carol Vorderman's last episode.
The last Conundrum ever solved in Carol Vorderman's last episode was ERACLOSES, which meant that it was her last episode with 'Des OConnor.
By the time Carol Vorderman left the show in December 2008, she has been in more than 4700 episodes, she put more than 320,000 letters on the letters board, tackled more than 11,200 numbers games and heard the Countdown music more than 57,000 times.
Carol Vorderman's very first numbers game had the total of 493.
Susie Dent is the longest running Lexicographer on the show and is still on the show to this day.
Carol Vorderman's final episode aired on December 12, 2008. It was however taped on November 13, 2008. Her tribute episode were both filmed and aired on the same days.
Susie Dent's first episode aired on June 29, 1992.
The lowest numbers game total on the show was 103, the highest is 952.
Even though this has been the most watched show on Channel 4, it has never won a major television award since it has been on the air.
This was the 500th episode special, in which two regular guests took the role of contestants. Although this was not the 500th episode broadcast, it is the episode in which the celebration took place, and may possibly have been the 500th to be recorded.
This was the 1,000th episode special.
This was the 1,500th episode special.
This was a Christmas special, in which the two regular presenters took the role of contestants. This also means that it was the only show not presented by Richard Whiteley during his tenure as host.
This episode was the 18th birthday special.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the first to be broadcast, based around the theme of husband and wife contestants.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the second to be broadcast, based around the theme of a replayed final.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the third to be broadcast, based around the theme of high-scoring losers.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the fourth to be broadcast, based around the theme of maths teachers.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the fifth to be broadcast, based around the theme of solicitors.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the sixth to be broadcast, based around the theme of clergymen.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the seventh to be broadcast, based around the theme of Scrabble masters.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the eighth to be broadcast, based around the theme of a replayed final.
This is one of 25 themed specials recorded between 2002 and 2003, of which only 23 were broadcast, and which featured two previous contestants. This was the ninth to be broadcast, based around the theme of Champions of Champions.
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