Valerie Swanick

Valerie "Val" Swanick was a finalist in Series 39. She was a 56-year-old Museum Curator from Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire. Although her nameplate said Valerie, she was referred to throughout her time on the show as Val.

She beat Scrabble player and serial quizzer Joe Bridal in her début. Her four wins and 420 points were just enough to qualify for the finals as #8 seed after the series #7 seed Vicky Smith was forced to pull out due to illness. There she was eliminated by #1 seed Terry Knowles.

Sadly, Val passed away in October 2022 aged 80 after a long illness.

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
2369	13/10/1998	P	Joe Bridal	45 – 55	Valerie Swanick	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Colin Baker	Mark Nyman	73
2370	14/10/1998	P	Valerie Swanick	57 – 30	Shanker Menon	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Colin Baker	Mark Nyman	70
2371	15/10/1998	P	Valerie Swanick	60 – 42	Graham Robertson	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Gwen Taylor	Mark Nyman	74
2372	16/10/1998	P	Valerie Swanick	54 – 44	Judith Turner	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Gwen Taylor	Mark Nyman	83
2373	19/10/1998	P	Valerie Swanick	44 – 49	Kenneth Horne	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Gwen Taylor	Mark Nyman	73
2416	17/12/1998	QF	Terry Knowles	65 – 33	Val Swanick	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Magnus Magnusson	Mark Nyman	74