Watch Countdown

Countdown is a popular television game show that debuted in the UK in 1982. It was created by French game show developer Armand Jammot and was originally broadcast on Channel 4. The show became an instant hit and soon became one of the most popular game shows on British television. It has since spawned several spin-offs and localized versions in many countries around the world.

Countdown is a word and numbers game that involves two contestants who compete against each other to find the longest word or solution to a mathematical problem. The show is hosted by the legendary Richard Whiteley, who is joined by longtime co-presenter Carol Vorderman and lexicographer Susie Dent.

The show is divided into several rounds, starting with the letters round, which is a test of the contestants' lexicon. In this round, contestants have 30 seconds to form the longest possible word from a selection of nine random letters, with the computer validating the word's validity against the Oxford English Dictionary.

The numbers round follows the letters round, where contestants have to calculate a target number from a selection of six random numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. The contestants have 30 seconds to solve the problem, with the closest solution to the target winning.

The final round is a conundrum, which is a nine-letter anagram that the contestants have to solve in just thirty seconds. The first contestant to buzz in with the correct answer scores the points and wins the game.

Countdown became an instant hit with audiences, thanks to the charismatic performances of its presenters and the entertaining gameplay mechanics. The show's popularity is largely due to the appeal of Richard Whiteley's wit and charm. His humorous banter with Carol Vorderman and Susie Dent and his tendency to ad-lib and break into impromptu song provided endless entertainment for viewers.

Over the years, the show's format has changed slightly, but the core mechanics have remained the same. In 2009, Richard Whiteley tragically passed away and was replaced by Jeff Stelling, who continues to host the show to this day.

While Countdown may seem like a simple game show, it has become an important institution in British television culture. It has spawned numerous books, video games and even a theatrical production. The show's popularity has also been instrumental in elevating the careers of its presenters, with Carol Vorderman becoming a household name and Susie Dent becoming a respected media personality in her own right.

Overall, Countdown is a true classic of British television, with its combination of wordplay, mathematics and engaging hosts making it a beloved and enduring favorite of audiences across the country.