Michael Calder (Series 42)

Michael Calder first appeared on Countdown on 31 January 2000, beating Peter Hindes 59-49 in a nail-biting game, only triumphing after a sudden death conundrum. Michael went on to win a further 7 games, including another via a sudden death conundrum, and returned for the final rounds as and octochamp and #2 seed. He beat Helen Wrigglesworth in the quarter-finals and Terry O'Farrell in the semi-finals, on his way to a final showdown with John Hastings. In the final, Michael got off to a roaring start, spotting the brilliant 9-letter word MYOGLOBIN to take an 18-0 lead, and never looked back. Michael eventually ran out the 101-72 winner, becoming the 42nd champion of Countdown in the process. Michael was invited back for Championship of Champions XI in 2003, but was beaten in the first round by Loz Sands.

Preceded by Scott Mearns

Series winner Series 42

Followed by Graham Nash

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
2699	31/01/2000	P	Peter Hindes	49 – 59	Michael Calder	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Don Black	Susie Dent
2700	1/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	64 – 40	Carol Hogan	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Don Black	Susie Dent
2701	2/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	56 – 46	Clarissa Caroe	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Don Black	Susie Dent
2702	3/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	50 – 46	Gerry Ratzin	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
2703	4/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	64 – 37	Sue Meredith	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
2704	7/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	54 – 49	Daniel Green	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
2705	8/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	58 – 32	Marjorie Clark	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
2706	9/02/2000	P	Michael Calder	57 – 47	Andrew Hulme	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
2792	13/06/2000	QF	Michael Calder	55 – 29	Helen Wrigglesworth	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Ned Sherrin	Damian Eadie
2796	22/06/2000	SF	Michael Calder	55 – 40	Terence O'Farrell	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Joan Bakewell	Damian Eadie
2797	23/06/2000	GF	Michael Calder	101 – 72	John Hastings	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Joan Bakewell	Damian Eadie
3390	6/01/2003	CP	Michael Calder	60 – 77	Loz Sands	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Martin Jarvis	Susie Dent