Episode 1

I say! Isn't that the ferret man?

< Previous | Next >

Episode 1 was broadcast on 2 November 1982 at 4:45pm, as part of Series 1. It was the first-ever episode of Countdown as well as the first programme ever shown on Channel 4.

Jeff Andrews played Michael Goldman, with Michael Goldman winning 50 – 27. The Dictionary Corner guest was Ted Moult, and the lexicographer was Mary.

Episode 1 was hosted by Richard Whiteley (pictured) alongside "hostesses" Cathy Hytner and Beverley Isherwood, who placed letter and number tiles on the board respectively. Isherwood also created three-digit targets for the numbers rounds using a random-number generator, introduced as CECIL – "Countdown's Electronic Calculator in Leeds". This name is still used today, despite production of Countdown moving to Manchester in 2009 and Salford in 2013. Before the first numbers game, CECIL initially generated a target of 988. However, this was intended as an example of how CECIL worked, and was not used as the target number for the round. Carol Vorderman was the programme's "vital statistician", responsible for checking contestants' calculations and solving numbers rounds where necessary. During Series 1 and Series 2, this role was alternated with Dr Linda Barrett.

Andrews claimed following the final round that he saw the conundrum immediately but forgot to buzz in.

This episode was repeated on 2 November 2007 to recognise Countdown and Channel 4's 25th anniversary.

This episode was sampled in Channel 5's documentaries: Britain's Favourite Game Shows (2019), TV's Biggest Gameshows: 50 Years of Fun (2020), and in Channel 4's 2023 documentary Best Year Ever: 1982.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Jeff Andrews	Score	Michael Goldman	Others	Max.
1	TNEMARHIB	RAIMENT	7 – 7	MINARET	AMBIENT*	7
2	OCEETSPUG	5 not asked	7 – 13	COUPES	TOUPEES*	14
3	ZSGUOLUAS	GLOSS	12 – 18	GLASS	GAOLS*, GAUSS*, GOALS*, LASSO*, LUAUS*, SAGOS*, SLAGS*, SLOGS*, SLUGS, SOLAS*, SOLUS*, SOULS*, USUAL*, ZULUS	19
4	1 3 10 7 6 4 → 493	500 (7 − 3 + 1) × (6 + 4) × 10	17 – 18	424	CV: 493 = (6 + 1) × 7 × 10 + 3	29
5	ILOOSOIRE	6 not asked	17 – 25	ORIOLES	ROSOLIO*	36
6	GCKIEIFVS	FIVES	22 – 30	SKIVE	GIVES*, IVIES*, VICES*	41
7	EDOSEXDEB	BOXED	27 – 35	DOSED	SEEDED*	47
8	50 3 1 3 10 7 → 833	843	27 – 40	840 50 × (10 + 7) − 3 × 3 − 1	CV: 833 = (50 − 1) × (10 + 7)	57
9	LIGHHGIHT		27 – 50	HIGHLIGHT (5.75 seconds)		67

External links

• Watch this episode on YouTube (part 1)