Karen Pearson

Karen Pearson in Series 53...

Karen Pearson was a contestant in Series 53, 93 and 94 from Pebworth, Worcestershire. At the time of all her games, she was running her own market research agency, but by the time of her return 21 years later, she had also joined the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as a volunteer. She is also a longtime Apterite who joined the site in 2008.

Appearances

Series 53

Pearson made her initial debut towards the end of Series 53 against eventual octochamp Richard Heald, who would coincidentally turn out to be the last octochamp run Richard Whiteley would preside over, before his death only a couple of weeks after the broadcast of the episode. Pearson unfortunately could not quite keep pace with Heald, and ended up losing by a hefty 47-point margin.

Series 93

However, 21 years later, and with over 9,000 games on Apterous behind her, Karen came back for another go, and kicked off with a very confident 10-max debut against incumbent champion Tom Iorio, while also solving the conundrum to post an impressive opening score of 116. She followed that up with three further victories, with the scores dropping each time for an aggregate total after four games of 376 points. She then stepped aside for the end-of-series finals, and she will return in the opening heat of Series 94.

Co-events

After she lost in her initial appearance to eventual octochamp Richard Heald, she kept up her strong interest in Countdown, competing at Co-events CoLei 2008, CoNot 2009, CoLei2, CoLei Summer Special, CoLei3, CoLei4, CoChest, CoLei5 and CoChest2.

Appearances on other Quiz shows

On 4 June 2010, Pearson appeared on The Chase, managing to beat The Chaser, Anne Hegerty, as part of a team of four who took home £4,600 each. On 15 November 2010, she also appeared on Pointless with her husband James, winning the game, but missing out on the prize money by just three points. She also appeared on Tipping Point on 24 January 2013, winning £2,900. She then appeared on Revenge of the Egghead on 31 March 2014, against former Countdowner CJ de Mooi, just missing out in the final round. In 2015, she appeared on The Edge.

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
3943	9/06/2005	P	Richard Heald	104 – 57	Karen Pearson	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Barry Norman	Susie Dent	118
8788	12/06/2026	P	Tom Iorio	83 – 116	Karen Pearson	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Mark Chapman	Susie Dent	136
8789	15/06/2026	P	Karen Pearson	92 – 78	Sam Walsh	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	122
8790	16/06/2026	P	Karen Pearson	91 – 62	Jacques Le Bars	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	123
8791	17/06/2026	P	Karen Pearson	77 – 67	Chris Moore	Colin Murray	Rachel Riley				Lucy Summers	Charlene White	Susie Dent	122