Barry Grossman

Barry Grossman on the show.

Barry Grossman not on the show.

Barry Grossman, a Glaswegian living and working in London, first appeared aged 35 on Countdown mid-way through Series 21, defeating Nick Saloman 62 – 53 on his debut on 14 February 1991. Barry won four more games before losing his 6th to Gillian Tickle 54 – 51, but his scores were high enough to ensure him a place in the final rounds as #3 seed. he defeated Adam Simmons in the quarter-final, before 'gaining revenge' by defeating Gillian Tickle 59 – 44 in the semi-final. Despite having his first word disallowed, Barry dominated the final against Jackie McLeod, winning 99 – 67 to become the 21st series champion. Barry returned in 1993 for Championship of Champions VI, but was beaten in the first round by Robert Teuton. Barry also participated in the Supreme Championship in 1996, beating Robert Violett and Brian Hudson before being beaten in the group finals by eventual winner Harvey Freeman.

Preceded by Liz Barber

Series winner Series 21

Followed by Chris Waddington

Barry is also a Scrabble expert, and has appeared under a different name on Fifteen-to-One.

Barry the Scrabble player a few years later

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
1101	14/02/1991	P	Nick Saloman	53 – 62	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Simon Williams	Alexandra Clayton
1102	15/02/1991	P	Beatrice Syms	44 – 48	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Alexandra Clayton
1103	18/02/1991	P	Dave Dinsmore	20 – 49	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Alexandra Clayton
1104	19/02/1991	P	Val Carter	35 – 69	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Alexandra Clayton
1105	20/02/1991	P	Richard Foster	34 – 47	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Alexandra Clayton
1106	21/02/1991	P	Gillian Tickle	54 – 51	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Alexandra Clayton
1128	25/03/1991	QF	Adam Simmons	23 – 60	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Brian Johnston	Richard Samson
1131	28/03/1991	SF	Gillian Tickle	44 – 59	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Brian Johnston	Richard Samson
1132	29/03/1991	GF	Jackie McLeod	67 – 99	Barry Grossman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe, Brian Johnston	Richard Samson
1331	7/01/1993	CQF	Barry Grossman	50 – 55	Robert Teuton	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Stilgoe	Susie Dent
1870	30/10/1996	cQF	Barry Grossman	48 – 42	Robert Violett	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	June Whitfield	Susie Dent
1873	4/11/1996	cSF	Barry Grossman	52 – 51	Brian Hudson	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Geoffrey Durham	Susie Dent
1874	5/11/1996	cF	Barry Grossman	37 – 44	Harvey Freeman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Geoffrey Durham	Susie Dent