Stephen Balment

Stephen Balment was a contestant in series 12 who made his debut on 14th April 1987, beating Keith Albans 83-45, setting a record score that would remain unequalled for nine years and ultimately unbeaten following Countdown changing formats to the 15 round game. The show would go on to be repeated on more than one occasion over the years. Steve won two more heats before eventually succumbing to Mike Tobias, but would return for the quarter finals as #4 seed. there, he defeated Nigel Aspden and Jon Marsh on his way to the final against Janet McRae. There, he saw off Janet's challenge to emerge the 81-66 winner and the champion of the twelfth series of Countdown. He returned the following series for Championship of Champions III, but was beaten by Darryl Francis in the first round. He returned one last time for the Supreme Championships in 1996, beating Gino Corr in the first round but losing to Joyce Cansfield in the second.

Steve is also an active player on the British Scrabble circuit, where he is known as the 'Yo-Yo' because of his wildly fluctuating rating.

Preceded by John Clarke

Series winner Series 12

Followed by Hilary Hopper