Ian Bebbington

Ian Bebbington.

Ian Bebbington was a contestant in series 7. he first appeared on 1 November 1985, soundly defeating Michael Spencer 66-16. After two more wins, his reign as champion was cut short by Marion Johnstone, but his impressive scores had been enough to earn him a place in the final rounds as #5 seed. he defeated Robert Coton in the quarter-finals after another impressive performance, before pulling off a major upset in beating #1 seed Clive Freedman in the semis by just three points. In the grand final against Julian Hough, Ian led 82-77 going into the conundrum. Neither contestant was able to unscramble TEEUPLATE in the time, meaning Ian became the seventh series champion. ian would return for Championship of Champions II, but would be defeated in the first round by John Wallace. Ian returned to Countdown in 1996 for the Supreme Championship, defeating James Sinclair in the first round but losing to the ultimate winner Harvey Freeman in his next and final match.

Preceded by Darryl Francis

Series winner Series 7

Followed by Clive Spate

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
303	1/11/1985	P	Michael Spencer	16 – 66	Ian Bebbington	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Steve Jones
304	4/11/1985	P	Ian Bebbington	52 – 31	Ken Brown	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Steve Jones
305	5/11/1985	P	Ian Bebbington	59 – 18	Michael McCormack	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Steve Jones
306	6/11/1985	P	Ian Bebbington	41 – 52	Marion Johnstone	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Steve Jones
335	17/12/1985	QF	Robert Coton	53 – 65	Ian Bebbington	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Richard Stilgoe	Della Thompson
336	18/12/1985	SF	Clive Freedman	46 – 49	Ian Bebbington	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Richard Stilgoe	Della Thompson
338	20/12/1985	GF	Ian Bebbington	82 – 77	Julian Hough	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Richard Stilgoe, John Junkin	Della Thompson
401	3/04/1986	CQF	John Wallace	59 – 38	Ian Bebbington	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman			Cathy Hytner	Gyles Brandreth	Catherine Clarke
1869	29/10/1996	cQF	Ian Bebbington	45 – 36	James Sinclair	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	June Whitfield	Susie Dent
1872	1/11/1996	cSF	Ian Bebbington	54 – 72	Harvey Freeman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Geoffrey Durham	Susie Dent