John Payne (Series 71)

For other people called John Payne, see John Payne.

John Payne in Series 71...

...and 11 years later in Series 92.

John Payne was a contestant in Series 71 and 92. Born in Aldershot, Hampshire in 1992, his favourite subject whilst at school was mathematics with this interest seeing him undertake and pass his KS2 maths exam whilst in Year 3. He attended All Hallows Catholic School, where after taking his GCSEs, he was presented with the Millennium Award for outstanding achievement. Throughout his childhood, he watched Countdown regularly and often spoke of a dream of appearing on the program although when he did make his debut, it was unfortunately against eventual octochamp, George Ford.

Most recently, Payne has been abroad with Progressio, spending three months volunteering in Nicaragua.

In 2016, he was captain of the "Prime" team in Hive Minds, which went on to win the series including defeating the "Ortographobes" team led by James Robinson in the semi-finals. In April 2017, Payne appeared on Fifteen to One, followed by Only Connect in September of the same year.

He eventually made his return to Countdown in 2025, at which point he was living in Manchester. He kicked off this comeback with a victory and the teapot, against Chas McLaughlin.

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
6018	24/10/2014	P	George Ford	114 – 68	John Payne	Nick Hewer	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Dave Myers	Susie Dent	132
8558	11/07/2025	P	Chas McLaughlin	64 – 89	John Payne	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Owain Wyn Evans	Susie Dent	131
8559	14/07/2025	P	John Payne	100 – 90	David Holmes	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	125
8560	15/07/2025	P	John Payne	109 – 65	Val Pilkington-Smith	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	122
8561	16/07/2025	P	John Payne	99 – 52	Edward Ffitch	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	120
8562	17/07/2025	P	John Payne	112 – 69	Richard Cook	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	143
8563	18/07/2025	P	John Payne	92 – 61	Andrew Dickens	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	120
8564	21/07/2025	P	John Payne	119 – 69	Frances McKissock	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Claire Sweeney	Susie Dent	131