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Difference between revisions of "Mark Murray"

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{{octostats|'''Champion'''|1|902|6}}
 
{{octostats|'''Champion'''|1|902|6}}
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[[File:Mark Murray.png|thumb|200px|right|Mark Murray in the [[Championship of Champions XIV]].]]
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[[Image:Mark Murray.jpg|right|thumb|Mark Murray in Series 70...]]
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'''Mark Murray''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 41]] as well as an [[octochamp]] in and the champion of [[Series 70]], making him the first series winner born in the Republic of Ireland, and a participant in [[Championship of Champions XIV]]. He is also an [[Apterite]] and has been the chairperson of [[FOCAL]].
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[[File:Mark Murray.png|thumb|200px|right|...and again in the Championship of Champions XIV.]]
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[[File:MarkMurrayTrophy.jpeg|right|thumb|200px|Mark Murray holding the [[Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy]] after winning Series 70.]]
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'''Mark Murray''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 41]], an [[octochamp]] in and the [[series winners|champion]] of [[Series 70]] (making him the first series winner born in the Republic of Ireland), and a quarter-finalist in [[Championship of Champions XIV]]. As of his first appearance, he was from Botley, Oxfordshire, but born in Dublin. As of his Series 70 and [[Championship of Champions]] appearances, he was a collection specialist for an energy company, from Bristol. He is also an [[Apterous|Apterite]] and briefly, a former chairperson of [[FOCAL]].
  
 
==Appearances on the programme==
 
==Appearances on the programme==
 
===Heat games===
 
===Heat games===
−
To date, Murray, whose cumulative total is 902, is the highest-scoring [[octochamp]] whose run has included a [[conundrum|crucial conundrum]]. He had three altogether, in his matches against [[Bobby Johnson]], [[Ciaran McCarthy]] and [[Peter Steggle]]. Because of this, and McCarthy's century, many consider Murray to have had the hardest ever octochamp run on the show.
+
Murray first appeared in [[Series 41]], losing to eventual quarter-finalist, [[Sanjay Mazumder]]. Fifteen years later, he returned for [[Series 70]], becoming an [[octochamp]] and the 11th [[contestant]] to score [[Century#Contestants with eight consecutive prelim centuries|eight consecutive centuries in their prelims]]. At the time of his run, his cumulative total (902) was the highest-scoring octochamp whose run had included a [[conundrum|crucial conundrum]]. He had three altogether, in his matches against [[Bobby Johnson]], [[Ciaran McCarthy]] and [[Peter Steggle]]. Because of this and McCarthy's [[century]], many consider Murray to have had the hardest ever octochamp run on the show. This record was beaten by [[Ahmed Mohamed]]'s 927-point octochamp run in [[Series 84]].
  
 
===Finals===
 
===Finals===
−
Despite the array of difficult opponents, Murray was the clear number 1 seed for the finals and saw off the challenges of [[Andy Gardner]], [[Neil Green]] and [[Andy Naylor]] to win the series.
+
Despite the array of difficult opponents, Murray was the clear number one seed for the finals and saw off the challenges of [[Andy Gardner]] in the [[Episode 5940|quarter-finals]], [[Neil Green]] in the [[Episode 5944|semi-finals]], and [[Andy Naylor]] in the [[Episode 5946|grand final]] to win the series.
  
 
===Championship of Champions XIV===
 
===Championship of Champions XIV===
−
Murray returned in 2016 for [[Championship of Champions XIV]], facing off against Series 71 runner-up [[Antoinette Ryan]] in a game self-styled as "Battle of the Leprechauns", Murray emerged victorious {{score|125|88}}. In the quarter-final, he came up against another Series 71 contestant in series champion Cool [[Dan McColm]]. In the battle of the two series winners of 2014, Cool Dan won a tense match {{score|112|99}}.
+
Murray returned in 2016 for [[Championship of Champions XIV]], facing off against [[Series 71]] runner-up, [[Antoinette Ryan]], in a game self-styled as "Battle of the Leprechauns", in which Murray emerged victorious {{score|125|88|Episode 6285}}. In the [[Episode 6289|quarter-final]], he came up against another Series 71 [[contestant]] in [[series winners|series champion]], "Cool [[Dan McColm]]". In the battle of the two series winners of 2014, "Cool Dan" won a tense match {{score|112|99}}.
  
−
==Co-events==
+
===''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]''===
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In 2005, Murray entered the unofficial Countdown tournament [[CoBris 2005]], and subsequently [[CoBris 2006]] and [[CoBris 2007]]. In 2015, he revived [[Countdown in Bristol]] as a co-host, along with veteran [[Jeff Clayton]] to create [[CoBris 2015]]. This proved to be popular enough to encourage him to repeat with Countdown Bristol 2016, 2017 and 2018.
+
In January 2017, Murray also made a spoof appearance in [[Episode Cats75]], paired with [[Sean Lock]] and [[Stephen Mangan]]. He was introduced as Sean's mascot nephew "Donny". Unbeknownst to the rest of the panel, he was brought in to play the game for Sean. Murray helped Sean achieve the maximum score in the first two rounds, whispering the solutions to him and declaring the answers as his own. The panel soon figured this out, so he went backstage. Murray returned for the [[conundrum]], solving {{word|DENTPOOPS}}, where his true identity was revealed shortly before that.
  
−
==Catsdown==
+
==Outside of ''[[Countdown]]''==
−
In January 2017, Murray also made a spoof appearance on the first episode of [[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 12]], paired with [[Sean Lock]] and [[Stephen Mangan]]. He was introduced as Sean's mascot nephew "Donny". Unbeknownst to the rest of the panel, he was brought in to play the game for Sean. Murray helped Sean achieve the maximum score in the first two rounds, whispering the solutions to him and declaring the answers as his own. Murray returned for the Conundrum, solving {{word|DENTPOOPS}}, where his true identity was revealed shortly before that.
+
Away from ''Countdown'', Murray has partaken in ''[[Scrabble]]'' tournaments. He has also appeared on a few other quiz shows with varying success, including ''{{w|The Weakest Link (British game show)|The Weakest Link}}'', ''{{w|100% (game show)|100%}}'' and ''{{w|BrainTeaser}}''.
  
−
==Outside of Countdown==
+
After his ''Countdown'' appearances, he participated in [[ZoomDown Series 2|''ZoomDown'' Series 2]].
−
Away from ''Countdown'', Murray has also partaken in [[Scrabble]] tournaments; he finished 9th in the 2017 Northern Ireland Championship. He has also appeared on a few other quiz shows with varying success, including ''The Weakest Link'', ''100%'' and ''Brainteaser''.
+
 
 +
===Co-events===
 +
In 2005, Murray entered the first ever [[Co-event]], [[CoBris 2005]], and subsequently [[CoBris 2006]] and [[CoBris 2007]]. In 2015, he revived [[Countdown in Bristol]] as a co-host, along with veteran [[Jeff Clayton]] to create [[CoBris 2015]]. This proved to be popular enough to encourage him to repeat with [[CoBris 2016]], [[CoBris 2017|2017]] and [[CoBris 2018|2018]]. He reached his first grand final at [[CO:LON:2]] in 2018, becoming runner-up to [[Oliver Garner]].
  
 
{{series winner|preceded_by=Callum Todd|series=70|followed_by=Dan McColm}}
 
{{series winner|preceded_by=Callum Todd|series=70|followed_by=Dan McColm}}
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{{ep | 6285 | 13/01/2016 | CP |[[Antoinette Ryan]]| 88 - 125 |Mark Murray|[[John Inverdale]]|Susie Dent|140}}
 
{{ep | 6285 | 13/01/2016 | CP |[[Antoinette Ryan]]| 88 - 125 |Mark Murray|[[John Inverdale]]|Susie Dent|140}}
 
{{ep | 6289 | 19/01/2016 | CQF |[[Dan McColm]]| 112 - 99 |Mark Murray|[[Naga Munchetty]]|Susie Dent|145}}
 
{{ep | 6289 | 19/01/2016 | CQF |[[Dan McColm]]| 112 - 99 |Mark Murray|[[Naga Munchetty]]|Susie Dent|145}}
−
{{ep | 8-10 12-1| 13/01/2017 | S |[[Stephen Mangan]],<br>Mark Murray<br>& [[Sean Lock]]| 45 - 22* |[[Noel Fielding]],<br>[[Fay Ripley]]<br>& [[Rachel Riley]]|[[The Brett Domino Trio]]|Susie Dent|80}}
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{{ep | Cats75 | 13/01/2017 | S |[[Stephen Mangan]],<br />Mark Murray<br />& [[Sean Lock]]| 45 - 22* |[[Noel Fielding]],<br />[[Fay Ripley]]<br />& [[Rachel Riley]]|[[The Brett Domino Trio]]|Susie Dent|80}}
 
{{episode table end}}
 
{{episode table end}}
 +
<center>* includes 22 points from a bonus game</center>
  
−
<center>* Includes 22 Points from a bonus game.</center>
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==External Links==
 +
*[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/dubliner-crowned-countdown-series-champion-1.1847873 Article on Murray and his Series 70 victory], ''{{w|The Irish Times}}''
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Mark}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Mark}}
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[[Category:Returning contestants]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 41]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 41]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 70]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 70]]
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[[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]
 
[[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]
 
[[Category:Finalists]]
 
[[Category:Finalists]]
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[[Category:Series winners]]
 
 
[[Category:Contestants on other game shows]]
 
[[Category:Contestants on other game shows]]
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[[Category:Contestants on ZoomDown]]
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==External Links==
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[[Category:Contestants with eight consecutive prelim centuries]]
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*[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/dubliner-crowned-countdown-series-champion-1.1847873 Article on Mark and his series 70 victory]
 

Latest revision as of 16:30, 8 November 2024

Mark Murray
octochamp statistics
Final position Champion
Seeding 1
Points total 902
Conundrums solved 6
Mark Murray in Series 70...
...and again in the Championship of Champions XIV.
Mark Murray holding the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy after winning Series 70.

Mark Murray was a contestant in Series 41, an octochamp in and the champion of Series 70 (making him the first series winner born in the Republic of Ireland), and a quarter-finalist in Championship of Champions XIV. As of his first appearance, he was from Botley, Oxfordshire, but born in Dublin. As of his Series 70 and Championship of Champions appearances, he was a collection specialist for an energy company, from Bristol. He is also an Apterite and briefly, a former chairperson of FOCAL.

Appearances on the programme

Heat games

Murray first appeared in Series 41, losing to eventual quarter-finalist, Sanjay Mazumder. Fifteen years later, he returned for Series 70, becoming an octochamp and the 11th contestant to score eight consecutive centuries in their prelims. At the time of his run, his cumulative total (902) was the highest-scoring octochamp whose run had included a crucial conundrum. He had three altogether, in his matches against Bobby Johnson, Ciaran McCarthy and Peter Steggle. Because of this and McCarthy's century, many consider Murray to have had the hardest ever octochamp run on the show. This record was beaten by Ahmed Mohamed's 927-point octochamp run in Series 84.

Finals

Despite the array of difficult opponents, Murray was the clear number one seed for the finals and saw off the challenges of Andy Gardner in the quarter-finals, Neil Green in the semi-finals, and Andy Naylor in the grand final to win the series.

Championship of Champions XIV

Murray returned in 2016 for Championship of Champions XIV, facing off against Series 71 runner-up, Antoinette Ryan, in a game self-styled as "Battle of the Leprechauns", in which Murray emerged victorious 125 – 88. In the quarter-final, he came up against another Series 71 contestant in series champion, "Cool Dan McColm". In the battle of the two series winners of 2014, "Cool Dan" won a tense match 112 – 99.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

In January 2017, Murray also made a spoof appearance in Episode Cats75, paired with Sean Lock and Stephen Mangan. He was introduced as Sean's mascot nephew "Donny". Unbeknownst to the rest of the panel, he was brought in to play the game for Sean. Murray helped Sean achieve the maximum score in the first two rounds, whispering the solutions to him and declaring the answers as his own. The panel soon figured this out, so he went backstage. Murray returned for the conundrum, solving DENTPOOPS, where his true identity was revealed shortly before that.

Outside of Countdown

Away from Countdown, Murray has partaken in Scrabble tournaments. He has also appeared on a few other quiz shows with varying success, including The Weakest Link, 100% and BrainTeaser.

After his Countdown appearances, he participated in ZoomDown Series 2.

Co-events

In 2005, Murray entered the first ever Co-event, CoBris 2005, and subsequently CoBris 2006 and CoBris 2007. In 2015, he revived Countdown in Bristol as a co-host, along with veteran Jeff Clayton to create CoBris 2015. This proved to be popular enough to encourage him to repeat with CoBris 2016, 2017 and 2018. He reached his first grand final at CO:LON:2 in 2018, becoming runner-up to Oliver Garner.

Preceded by
Callum Todd		 Series winner
Series 70		 Followed by
Dan McColm

Episodes

# Date Type Contestant 1 Score Contestant 2 Presenters Guest Lex Max
2630 27/10/1999 P Sanjay Mazumder 65 – 25 Mark Murray Richard Whiteley Carol Vorderman Marc Freden Mark Nyman 73
5902 10/04/2014 P Bobby Johnson 96 – 115 Mark Murray Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Michael Whitehall Susie Dent 145
5903 11/04/2014 P Mark Murray 108 – 42 Chris Newbury Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Michael Whitehall Susie Dent 120
5904 14/04/2014 P Mark Murray 120 – 104 Ciaran McCarthy Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Michael Whitehall Susie Dent 137
5905 15/04/2014 P Mark Murray 100 – 26 Jim Sales Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Louise Minchin Susie Dent 132
5906 16/04/2014 P Mark Murray 115 – 48 David Jameson Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Louise Minchin Susie Dent 135
5907 17/04/2014 P Mark Murray 112 – 95 Peter Steggle Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Louise Minchin Susie Dent 123
5908 18/04/2014 P Mark Murray 122 – 86 Mike Wilson Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Louise Minchin Susie Dent 133
5909 21/04/2014 P Mark Murray 110 – 69 Simon Pinder Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Louise Minchin Susie Dent 133
5940 13/06/2014 QF Mark Murray 95 – 63 Andy Gardner Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Mark Foster Susie Dent 120
5944 25/06/2014 SF Mark Murray 89 – 64 Neil Green Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Mark Foster Susie Dent 134
5946 27/06/2014 GF Mark Murray 105 – 70 Andy Naylor Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Jon Culshaw Susie Dent 137
6285 13/01/2016 CP Antoinette Ryan 88 – 125 Mark Murray Nick Hewer Rachel Riley John Inverdale Susie Dent 140
6289 19/01/2016 CQF Dan McColm 112 – 99 Mark Murray Nick Hewer Rachel Riley Naga Munchetty Susie Dent 145
Cats75 13/01/2017 S Stephen Mangan,
Mark Murray
& Sean Lock 		45 – 22* Noel Fielding,
Fay Ripley
& Rachel Riley 		Jimmy Carr Rachel Riley The Brett Domino Trio Susie Dent 80
* includes 22 points from a bonus game

External Links

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