Julian Fell

Julian Fell was the winner of Series 48 and is widely considered to be among the greatest countdowners of all time. He holds a cornucopia of records including the highest single score of 146, and for over six years held the highest octochamp score of 924, before this was beaten by Kirk Bevins in 2009. Fell is particular renowned for his astonishing word knowledge, including definitions, coupled with fast conundrums. His numbers strength is often underestimated in comparison to the other disciplines.

His debut came on 16 October 2002, when he posted an impressive 117. Six more centuries followed, and by the following Friday only Carl McDermott stood between Fell and octochampdom. This game is remembered as one of the greatest drubbings in Countdown history, as Fell racked up 138, with a winning margin of 109. His place as #1 seed and favourite for the series was assured, and his feat of eight centuries in eight heats has been matched only by Jack Hurst, Andrew Hulme, Craig Beevers, Adam Gillard and Eoin Monaghan.

Fell won his quarter-final against Mike Brown with ease, before getting four nines against Danny Hamilton in the semi-final. Fell unravelled SALMONIDS, DEPORTING, INGATHERS and DEFLATION to amass 146 before the conundrum. He was unable to resolve THEIRCOPY and was left with 146 points, still 8 points clear of the second highest score in Countdown history: 138, set by Mark Tournoff and Fell himself. Fell went onto win the final against Grace Page after spotting the niner MANTICORE in the first round, which Page missed.

Fell returned for the Championship of Champions XI as the favourite and won his first match against Terence O'Farrell, before losing a nail-biting quarter-final to Graham Nash 120 – 109. Despite losing, Julian maintained his streak of scoring 100 in every game. Since this quarter-final, Julian has filmed just once, a special against Chris Wills which he won 100 – 92 on a crucial conundrum. As such, 100 was Julian's lowest ever score on Countdown. (more...)

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• ...that on 2 December 2004, Tim Charlton requested a final consonant but Carol Vorderman picked out the letter U?
• ...that Series 38 quarter-finalist Jill Bright had a 36 point lead in her second heat game after kicking off with back-to-back niners?
• ...former host Des Lynam (pictured) was the Dictionary Corner guest for Episode 5000, with his presence recognised through the conundrum DESLHINAM?
• ...that Series 29 contestant Will D Downing had a unique method of playing the game, involving individual letters written on torn up pieces of paper?

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• 2011: Tom Barnes beat Liz Dey in a game that ended 96 – 42.
• 2010: Danny Pledger beat Paul Sweetman in a 76 – 51 game.
• 2009: Jimmy Gough beat Kerr Nairn with a score of 72 – 62.
• 2008: Carl Dundas beat Ross Watt, scoring 85 – 61.
• 2006: Jon Corby beat Christine Armstrong in the Series 54 quarter-final.
• 2005: John Brackstone beat Ken Ryder in a game that ended 110 – 68.
• 2004: Julian Durlacher beat Margaret Goodman in a 100 – 72 game.
• 2003: Martin Gardner beat Richard Brooks with a score of 101 – 64.
• 1999: Peter Hutchings beat Dawn Medcalf in a 51 – 43 game.
• 1998: Chris Toyne beat Kim Steinberg with final score 59 – 29.
• 1997: Piers Brown beat Steve Beech, scoring 39 – 19.
• 1988: Dick Green beat Margaret Bright with a score of 50 – 26.
• 1987: Janet McRae beat Geoffrey Reynolds in a game that ended 64 – 39.
• 1986: Peter Scott beat Alan Lee, scoring 53 – 38.
• 1983: Maureen Kelly beat Bobbie Bennett in a 42 – 23 game.

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