Episode 1 - Revision history

DaaniyalAli at 10:37, 5 November 2025

2025-11-05T10:37:28Z

Mclarenguy22: NB: It’s not called All4 any more. Channel 4’s streaming service is now simply just called Channel 4.

2025-11-05T10:32:10Z

NB: It’s not called All4 any more. Channel 4’s streaming service is now simply just called Channel 4.

DaaniyalAli at 10:34, 3 September 2025

2025-09-03T10:34:03Z

The Doctor at 22:46, 4 July 2025

2025-07-04T22:46:53Z

TobyMcDonald at 14:45, 7 October 2023

2023-10-07T14:45:43Z

DaaniyalA at 15:16, 26 February 2023

2023-02-26T15:16:43Z

Launchballer: add

2023-02-26T12:53:22Z

add

DaaniyalA at 11:00, 9 November 2022

2022-11-09T11:00:48Z

The Doctor at 02:34, 19 March 2021

2021-03-19T02:34:22Z

The Doctor at 23:25, 16 March 2021

2021-03-16T23:25:43Z

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{episode|previous=Episode CC7|next=Episode 2}}
 [[Image:Richard whiteley captioned on ep 1.jpg|frame|right|I say! Isn't that the ferret man?]]
-'''Episode 1''' was broadcast on 2 November 1982 at [[Countdown transmission times|4:45pm]], as part of [[Series 1]]. It was the first-ever episode of ''[[Countdown]]'' as well as the first programme ever shown on [[Channel 4]].
+'''Episode 1''' was broadcast on 2 November 1982 at [[Countdown transmission times|4:45pm]], as part of [[Series 1]]. It was the first ever episode of ''[[Countdown]]'', as well as the first programme ever shown on [[Channel 4]].
 [[Jeff Andrews]] played [[Michael Goldman]], with Michael Goldman winning {{score|50|27}}. The [[Dictionary Corner]] guest was [[Ted Moult]], and the [[lexicographer]] was [[Mary]].
-Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside hostesses [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed [[letters game|letter]] and [[numbers game|number]] tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[The Leeds Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to [[Granada Studios|Manchester]] in 2009 and [[Dock10 Studios|Salford]] in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking [[contestant]]s' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2|2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
+Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside hostesses [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed [[letters game|letter]] and [[numbers game|number]] tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[The Leeds Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to [[Granada Studios|Manchester]] in 2009 and [[Dock10 Studios|Salford]] in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking [[contestant]]s' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2|2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
-Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the [[conundrum]] immediately but forgot to buzz in. After the match finished, Moult claimed he had {{word|bedsox {{x}}}} in the final letters game, but this word is not in the [[Concise Oxford Dictionary]]. {{word|BEDSOCKS}}, however, is the valid spelling.
+Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the [[conundrum]] immediately but forgot to buzz in. After the match finished, Moult claimed he had {{word|bedsox {{x}}}} in the final letters game but this word is not in the [[Concise Oxford Dictionary]]. {{word|BEDSOCKS}}, however, is the valid spelling.
 This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise ''Countdown'' and Channel 4's 25th anniversary. It was also temporarily uploaded online on Channel 4's streaming service to mark its 40th anniversary.
-This episode was sampled in {{w|Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5}}'s documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
+This episode was sampled in {{w|Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5}}'s documentaries: ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
 ==Rounds==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 [[Jeff Andrews]] played [[Michael Goldman]], with Michael Goldman winning {{score|50|27}}. The [[Dictionary Corner]] guest was [[Ted Moult]], and the [[lexicographer]] was [[Mary]].
-Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside "hostesses" [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed [[letters game|letter]] and [[numbers game|number]] tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[The Leeds Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to [[Granada Studios|Manchester]] in 2009 and [[Dock10 Studios|Salford]] in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking [[contestant]]s' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2|2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
+Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside hostesses [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed [[letters game|letter]] and [[numbers game|number]] tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[The Leeds Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to [[Granada Studios|Manchester]] in 2009 and [[Dock10 Studios|Salford]] in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking [[contestant]]s' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2|2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
-Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the [[conundrum]] immediately but forgot to buzz in.
+Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the [[conundrum]] immediately but forgot to buzz in. After the match finished, Moult claimed he had {{word|bedsox {{x}}}} in the final letters game, but this word is not in the [[Concise Oxford Dictionary]]. {{word|BEDSOCKS}}, however, is the valid spelling.
-This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise ''Countdown'' and Channel 4's 25th anniversary.
+This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise ''Countdown'' and Channel 4's 25th anniversary. It was also temporarily uploaded online on Channel 4's streaming service to mark its 40th anniversary.
 This episode was sampled in {{w|Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5}}'s documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
 ==Rounds==

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ==External Links==
-{{Dailymotion|x8omfrw}}
+{{YouTube|Y2xKx6NH97I}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:0001}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:46, 4 July 2025
Line 13:		Line 13:

	This episode was sampled in {{w\|Channel 5 (British TV channel)\|Channel 5}}'s documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.		This episode was sampled in {{w\|Channel 5 (British TV channel)\|Channel 5}}'s documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
		+
		+	Dictionary Corner declared {{word\|BEDSOX}} in Round 7, but this is not in the [[Concise Oxford Dictionary]].

	==Rounds==		==Rounds==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Featured article}}
-[[Image:Richard whiteley captioned on ep 1.jpg|frame|right|I say! Isn't that the ferret man?]]{{episode|previous=Episode CC7|next=Episode 2}}
+{{episode|previous=Episode CC7|next=Episode 2}}
-'''Episode 1''' was broadcast on 2 November 1982 at 4:45pm, as part of [[Series 1]]. It was the first-ever episode of ''[[Countdown]]'' as well as the first programme ever shown on [[Channel 4]].
+[[Image:Richard whiteley captioned on ep 1.jpg|frame|right|I say! Isn't that the ferret man?]]
 [[Jeff Andrews]] played [[Michael Goldman]], with Michael Goldman winning {{score|50|27}}. The [[Dictionary Corner]] guest was [[Ted Moult]], and the [[lexicographer]] was [[Mary]].
-Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside "hostesses" [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed letter and number tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random-number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "Countdown's Electronic Calculator in [[YTV Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to Manchester in 2009 and Salford in 2013. Before the first numbers game, [[CECIL]] initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking contestants' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
+Episode 1 was hosted by [[Richard Whiteley]] ''(pictured)'' alongside "hostesses" [[Cathy Hytner]] and [[Beverley Isherwood]], who placed [[letters game|letter]] and [[numbers game|number]] tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random number generator, introduced as [[CECIL]] &ndash; "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[The Leeds Studios|Leeds]]". This name is still used today, despite production of ''Countdown'' moving to [[Granada Studios|Manchester]] in 2009 and [[Dock10 Studios|Salford]] in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. [[Carol Vorderman]] was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking [[contestant]]s' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and [[Series 2|2]], this role was alternated with [[Dr Linda Barrett]].
-Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the conundrum immediately but forgot to buzz in.
+Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the [[conundrum]] immediately but forgot to buzz in.
 This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise ''Countdown'' and Channel 4's 25th anniversary.
-This episode was sampled in Channel 5's documentaries: ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
+This episode was sampled in {{w|Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5}}'s documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019), ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
 ==Rounds==
 {{Rounds-start|Jeff Andrews|Michael Goldman}}
-{{R-letters| 1|TNEMARHIB|RAIMENT  |MINARET  |AMBIENT*            |  7|7  |  7}}
+{{R-letters  |1|TNEMARHIB|RAIMENT  |MINARET  |AMBIENT*            |  7|7  |  7}}
-{{R-letters| 2|OCEETSPUG|{{notasked|5}}        |COUPES   |TOUPEES*            |  7|13 | 14}}
+{{R-letters  |2|OCEETSPUG|{{notasked|5}}|COUPES   |TOUPEES*            |  7|13 | 14}}
-{{R-letters| 3|ZSGUOLUAS|GLOSS    |GLASS    |GAOLS*, GAUSS*, GOALS*, LASSO*, LUAUS*, SAGOS*, SLAGS*, SLOGS*, SLUGS, SOLAS*, SOLUS*, SOULS*, USUAL*, ZULUS| 12|18 | 19}}
+{{R-letters  |3|ZSGUOLUAS|GLOSS    |GLASS    |GAOLS*, GAUSS*, GOALS*, LASSO*, LUAUS*, SAGOS*, SLAGS*, SLOGS*, SLUGS, SOLAS*, SOLUS*, SOULS*, USUAL*, ZULUS| 12|18 | 19}}
-{{R-numbers| 4|1|3|10|7|6|4| 493
+{{R-numbers  |4| 1|3|10|7|6|4| 493
 |500|sol1=(7 − 3 + 1) × (6 + 4) × 10
 |424
 |cv=493|solcv=(6 + 1) × 7 × 10 + 3
 |17|18|29}}
-{{R-letters| 5|ILOOSOIRE|{{notasked|6}}        |ORIOLES  |ROSOLIO*            | 17|25 | 36}}
+{{R-letters  |5|ILOOSOIRE|{{notasked|6}}|ORIOLES  |ROSOLIO*            | 17|25 | 36}}
-{{R-letters| 6|GCKIEIFVS|FIVES    |SKIVE    |GIVES*, IVIES*, VICES*| 22|30 | 41}}
+{{R-letters  |6|GCKIEIFVS|FIVES    |SKIVE    |GIVES*, IVIES*, VICES*| 22|30 | 41}}
-{{R-letters| 7|EDOSEXDEB|BOXED    |DOSED    |SEEDED*             | 27|35 | 47}}
+{{R-letters  |7|EDOSEXDEB|BOXED    |DOSED    |SEEDED*             | 27|35 | 47}}
-{{R-numbers| 8|50|3|1|3|10|7| 833
+{{R-numbers  |8| 50|3|1|3|10|7| 833
 |843
-|840|sol2=50 × (10 + 7) − 3 × 3 − 1
+|840|sol2=(10 + 7) × 50 − (3 × 3 + 1)
 |cv=833|solcv=(50 − 1) × (10 + 7)
 |27|40|57}}
@@ Line 34: / Line 35: @@
 {{Rounds-end}}
-==External links==
+==External Links==
-{{YouTube|KbCxIcfNZ1o}}
+{{Dailymotion|x8omfrw}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:0001}}
@@ Line 46: / Line 47: @@
 [[Category:Episodes with Mary as lexicographer]]
 [[Category:Episodes with Ted Moult as a guest]]
 [[Category:Repeated episodes]]

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise ''Countdown'' and Channel 4's 25th anniversary.
-This episode was sampled in Channel 5's documentaries to ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019) and ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020).
+This episode was sampled in Channel 5's documentaries ''Britain's Favourite Game Shows'' (2019) and ''TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun'' (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary ''Best Year Ever: 1982''.
 ==Rounds==

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 [[Category:Episodes presented by Richard Whiteley]]
 [[Category:Episodes with Cathy Hytner as co-presenter]]
 [[Category:Episodes with Carol Vorderman as arithmetician]]
 [[Category:Episodes with Mary as lexicographer]]