Countdown:Did you know/Nomination archive 1

* ...that in the grand final of Series 30, the #7 and #8 seeds played each other? JohnnyCanuck 13:12, 27 June 2010 (BST)

Nice one! -- Chris 'Crispy' Philpot 09:08, 28 June 2010 (BST)

• ...that in The Christmas special,Susie Dent filled in for Carol Vorderman? The Doctor 2031, 28 June 2010, BST
• ...that for most of Series 62, Rachel Riley lost her voice? User:The Doctor

Both of these are great, and I've already lined them up for August. Please feel free to make further suggestions! -- Chris 'Crispy' Philpot 09:34, 3 July 2010 (BST)

Wasn't the voice loss for three weeks of programmes, rather than for most of the series?--Drawoh 09:47, 3 July 2010 (BST)

I've adjusted the wording for the box like so:

* ...that due to multiple episodes being recorded in one day, Rachel Riley appeared to lose her voice for three weeks during Series 62?

If you feel this needs changing please just say so, and how, and I'll endeavour to strike the right note. -- Chris 'Crispy' Philpot 13:37, 4 July 2010 (BST)

Pretty accurate, Crispy. It was actually 15 episodes (three weeks), which were recorded over three consecutive days, not just on one day.--Drawoh 17:23, 4 July 2010 (BST)

• ...that the Countdown Grand Final was broadcast on Christmas day from 1998 to 2001? --The Doctor 09:43, 31 July 2010 (BST)
• ...that the target for the last numbers game of the Championship of Champions VIII grand final was 100?
• ...that Craig Beevers achieved 92.1% of the maximum score during his octochamp run, the highest percentage on record?
• ...that Series 8 was the first series won by its #1 seed (Clive Spate)? JohnnyCanuck 00:39, 1 August 2010 (BST)

Thank you for these great suggestions. I'll be compiling September's list soon, so let me know any more facts that spring to mind! -- Chris 'Crispy' Philpot 16:39, 18 August 2010 (BST)

• ...that Series 51 contestant Chris Philpot (pictured) was the only contestant to read out his introductory card?

• ...that a sudden-death conundrum used in a Series 12 quarter-final was RMADILLOA (answer: ARMADILLO)? JohnnyCanuck 23:01, 19 October 2010 (BST)

Source is here. You can leave out the answer if it's obvious enough.

• ...for the first four series, Countdown was only transmitted on four days a week...
• ...but for three months in 2006, the programme was extended to six days a week.
• ...in its 28 years' existence, there have been just three known occasions when the maximum possible score has been obtained from the available selections; Jenny Haldane in Episode 792, Darren Shacklady in Episode 1621, and Kirk Bevins in Episode 4770.

• ...that the Richard Whiteley Gotcha and the Championship of Champions XI final had the same max score, despite one being a 9-rounder and one a 15-rounder?

• .... that 2 large numbers gives statistically the easiest solutions? The Doctor 14:07, 29 December 2010 (UTC)
• ...that both contestants by the name Clive Freedman faced crucial conundrums at some point in their Countdown career?
• ...that on both of two episodes in the finals of Series 62, Episodes 5060 and 5062 just two episodes apart, identical selections were produced, namely AELNNOPWZ...
• ... and even more astonishingly, by changing the W to a U, the selection could be anagrammed to Paul Zenon, who was the Dictionary Corner guest in both these shows!

• ...that on 20 April 2006, the conundrum GHOSTMINE, despite being the most common 9-letter word in the English language, went unsolved by the entire studio?

(Thanks to this page: http://www.insightin.com/esl/1000.php for the most common words, and thanks to Mike Brown for making the recap for this episode, which has "none in aud." at the bottom.)

• ...that Helen Grayson and Darryl Francis, two high-scoring finalists in Series 6, had both previously been on the show in Series 1, within a day of each other?

• ...that a sudden-death conundrum used in a Series 12 quarter-final was RMADILLOA (answer: ARMADILLO)?
• ...that Series 51 contestant Chris Philpot was the only contestant to have ever read out his introductory card?
• ...that a choice of 2 large numbers in the numbers game gives statistically the easiest solutions?
• ...that after octochamps were re-introduced to the show in Series 47, Tom Hargreaves (pictured) won the very first eight games of the series?

Reboot

Is the DYK going to continue? JohnnyCanuck 03:03, 16 October 2011 (BST)

If one of us could be given exquisite powers, rather than waiting for above... The Doctor 09:34, 16 October 2011 (BST)

I am in the process of building up a bank of 12 sets of DYK facts which will automatically rotate year on year. Continue suggesting facts and I'll sporadically update the templates, without it being crucial to compile a brand new set every month. The facts which are crossed out above are now included in the refreshed templates. -- Chris 'Crispy' Philpot 15:36, 4 February 2012 (UTC)