Countdown:Surnames

Countdown nameplates stopped listing the surnames of contestants from 31 August 2026, ending a Series 1 tradition but bringing the show in line with the last 35 years of Des chiffres et des lettres and civilian UK game shows outside of Quizzy Monday. We believe this to be for safeguarding reasons. Our policy is to list only list surnames for new contestants at the contestant's request, with those of known returnees appearing on pre-existing content only.

Additional biographical information about contestants can be included in the following circumstances:

• It is aired on Countdown. Information that contestants are happy to have broadcast to the nation is fair game.
• It is aired as part of another media appearance such as a newspaper article or another television appearance.
• It is contributed by the subject. Do keep this within reason though, The Countdown Wiki is not a résumé.
• It is not derived from original research. Rifling through social media in order to stitch together a biography is not acceptable.

We also include still images and recording statements of fact pertaining to community events on the same grounds. Contestant requests for removal of said data are always honoured - contact Charlie Reams on Apterous.