Natascha Kearsey

Natascha Kearsey, at the time a 30-year-old software engineer from Swindon, first appeared on Countdown on 14 April 1997, beating Pete Cashmore 46 – 34 in the 11th heat of Series 35. She quickly amassed a further 7 wins to become an octochamp and #2 seed, facing just three crucial Conundrums along the way. In the final rounds, she beat Piers Brown 62 – 31 before losing to Pete Cashmore in a rematch of their earlier heat game. Her performances were enough to earn her a place in Championship of Champions IX, where she beat Christine White, James Martin and Ruth Collier on her way to the final, a third match between her and Pete Cashmore. Natascha led by 2 points going into the crucial conundrum, which neither player spotted within the 30 seconds, meaning Natascha became the ninth champion of champions, and to date the only woman to win a Championship of Champions.

Natascha returned to the Countdown studios once again in 2003 to record a special episode pitting her against the unbeaten Scott Mearns. In this special 'Champion of Champion of Champions' match, Natascha ran out the 109 – 100 winner, and became the first and only person to beat Scott at a game of Countdown.

Preceded by Chris Rogers

Champion of Champions Championship of Champions IX

Followed by Scott Mearns

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
1983	14/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	46 – 34	Peter Cashmore	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Geoffrey Durham	Rob Scriven
1984	15/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	58 – 34	Geoff Roberts	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Jan Harvey	Rob Scriven
1985	16/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	61 – 42	Alan Davison	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Jan Harvey	Rob Scriven
1986	17/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	43 – 41	Diana Thomas	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Jan Harvey	Rob Scriven
1987	18/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	41 – 25	Colin Thomas	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Jan Harvey	Rob Scriven
1988	21/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	57 – 41	Tim Bentley	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Jan Harvey	Peter Sweasey
1989	22/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	60 – 28	Sharon Leonard	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Barry Cryer	Catherine Stokes
1990	23/04/1997	P	Natascha Kearsey	47 – 45	Phil Campbell	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Barry Cryer	Catherine Stokes
2032	20/06/1997	QF	Natascha Kearsey	62 – 31	Piers Brown	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Nigel Rees	Rob Scriven
2036	26/06/1997	SF	Natascha Kearsey	27 – 62	Peter Cashmore	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Terry Wogan	Catherine Stokes
2168	5/01/1998	CP	Christine White	45 – 49	Natascha Kearsey	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Denis Norden	Mark Nyman
2173	12/01/1998	CQF	James Martin	51 – 52	Natascha Kearsey	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Gloria Hunniford	Mark Nyman
2176	15/01/1998	CSF	Natascha Kearsey	59 – 56	Ruth Collier	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tom O'Connor	Mark Nyman
2177	16/01/1998	CGF	Natascha Kearsey	72 – 70	Pete Cashmore	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tom O'Connor	Mark Nyman
S9	9/09/2003	S	Scott Mearns	100 – 109	Natascha Kearsay	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman					Bob Bevan	Alison Heard