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Helen McGivern

From Countdown
Helen McGivern
octochamp statistics
Final position Quarter-finalist
Seeding 7
Points total 704
Conundrums solved 1
Helen McGivern in Series 90.

Helen McGivern was an octochamp and quarter-finalist in Series 90. She was a former customer services export associate, and at the time of her appearances, a police community support officer (PCSO) on maternity leave. She was originally from Warrington, Cheshire but is since of nearby Wigan in Greater Manchester.

Heat Games

McGivern made her debut with a come-from-behind victory against Nicky Wisson, and followed that up with seven more victories while avoiding a crucial conundrum on each occasion, to become the sixth octochamp of Series 90.

Despite only solving the singular conundrum throughout all of her heats, McGivern was actually the only contestant in Series 90 to find multiple nine-letter words – the four she managed to spot in her heats were GLASSIEST, NOTARISED, FOREWARNS and TENTACLED. Scoring an average of 88 points per game, McGivern’s final total of 704 was good enough for number seven seed.

Finals

This set up a quarter-final match against number two seed, Fiona Wood, transmitted on 13 December, in which McGivern was finally eliminated but added a fifth nine-letter word in the opening round with GESTATING. McGivern amassed an overall total of 787 points in her run.

Episodes

# Date Type Contestant 1 Score Contestant 2 Presenters Guest Lex Max
8398 15/11/2024 P Nicky Wisson 69 – 86 Helen McGivern Colin Murray Rachel Riley Angela Scanlon Susie Dent 135
8399 18/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 91 – 68 Julian Coupland Colin Murray Rachel Riley Levi Roots Susie Dent 135
8400 19/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 83 – 55 Keith Sanders Colin Murray Rachel Riley Levi Roots Susie Dent 165
8401 20/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 107 – 25 Mickey Haimes Colin Murray Rachel Riley Levi Roots Susie Dent 143
8402 21/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 73 – 43 Sophie Pawson Colin Murray Rachel Riley Levi Roots Susie Dent 134
8403 22/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 79 – 65 Clare Rees Colin Murray Rachel Riley Levi Roots Susie Dent 134
8404 25/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 98 – 34 Rachel McAdam Colin Murray Rachel Riley Sara Davies Susie Dent 123
8405 26/11/2024 P Helen McGivern 87 – 70 Darren Barnard Colin Murray Rachel Riley Sara Davies Susie Dent 156
8418 13/12/2024 QF Fiona Wood 107 – 83 Helen McGivern Colin Murray Rachel Riley Rory Bremner Susie Dent 132