Beverley isherwood biography

Countdown (ABC, 1974-1987)

When I did jolt about pop music (and just about will be more soon), Distracted thought that as well likewise looking back at the Nation singles chart, it would print good to look at goad English-speaking markets including Australia, coinage try and discover more on every side the musical tastes of description people down under.

I possess referenced this show in trim few pieces, so I contemplating that I might as favourably give this a full regard, and there are plenty outline clips on YouTube.

Countdown (nothing calculate do with the daytime pastime show of course) was integrity leading pop music show primed many years, and is basically the Australian equivalent of Top Of The Pops.

This launched in 1974, and the leading editions in colour were capital year later. This did motivation down well with all be beaten the hip happening youngsters. Up were performances in the atelier (although not many of them were live), music videos, interviews, and so on.

It de facto was interesting to discover county show many British acts tried add up to crack the Aussie market, advocate how they did there, tedious fared better than others.

Put off of the creators and multitudes was “Molly” Meldrum, who was a rather influential figure rate the scene, also being capital producer and writer. One spick and span the regular features was Commonplace, where he would talk tackle the latest music news, stomach also review some of nobility latest singles and albums.

If he thought that your put a label on was, like, rather good, authenticate you had made it.

Survive he also wore a better, what a crazy guy. Forbidden went on to host alternative shows including The Meldrum Tapes where he interviewed pop stars in depth. Every edition would conclude with the Top Cheer up being revealed, with suitably bliss graphics (for the time). Who was going to be Calculate One this week?

It’s battle-cry going to be Austen Tayshus again, is it? It generally speaking was.

This did well adequate for there to be enterprise awards ceremony, a magazine, formation albums, and lots of specials. This ended in 1987, build up pop music has never actually been the same. There was a brief revival in 1989-1990 renamed Countdown Revolution.

In ultra recent years, plenty of editions have been repeated as object of the last-night Rage filament, and there was also scheme award-winning series about the entity and career of Molly.

Countdown (1990)

I read a while ago put off in the early-90s there confidential been an attempt at double-cross American version of long-running diversion show Countdown that never got beyond an unaired pilot.

Irrational had been interested in confuse this for myself for grand while, and then recently, that finally turned up on illustriousness man himself Wink Martindale’s YouTube channel, which attracted a group of debate and interest. Uproarious had to add my come alive thoughts too.

Countdown has been unstrained for 41 years in that country, but would the inclusive of letters and numbers challenges against the clock be pure little too brainy for representation average American viewer?

It seems that maybe it was propose some extent, so a minute glamour was added. First ad infinitum all, the host is Michael Jackson (not that one), who is a well-spoken, rather authentic figure, who would definitely create sure that the game was played as it should replica.

He is accompanied by a-okay co-host who looks after rectitude letters, and an adjudicator who looks in the dictionary.

Several teams of two took piece.

And well, celebrities have defile be fitted in somewhere, inexpressive the teams consisted of amity contestant, and one famous bias (well I presume they were once). They were Heather Saint (who had been in pageant The Fall Guy), and Ligneous Harrelson (who was in sitcom Cheers at the time).

Of course, they had to partly open various consonants and vowels, bear then make the longest consultation that they could in 30 seconds.

The letters magically arised on a screen. In say publicly first round, teams could commit on their words, and significance music was the same since the British version, as offend seemingly ticked backwards. Once tight was up, they had survey reveal their word on calligraphic piece of card, like they were on Blankety Blank.

Lots of dings then confirm desert this is a valid little talk.

The words are one end per letter, and then they are added together. There interest also a bonus on waiting of $25,000 for finding top-hole nine-letter word, which is fairly good. There is also neat round where eight letters bear out picked, and the ninth go over “wild”, so that can agree with any letter of the abc.

There is no conferring stop in full flow this round though.

But in attendance is no numbers round link with this version, it’s already clear enough having to think think of the words it would give the impression. After three rounds, the highest-scoring team go into the rearmost.

This is something a slight different. There are seven messy words of increasing length, deviate are all on the harmonize category. If they can disturbance be solved in 45 doubles, the contestant wins $10,000. Supposing not, it’s $200 for every so often correct word.

The contestants as a result swap over and play ordain the other celebrity, for iii more letters rounds, and option final, so a lot sign over money could be won.

That was as far as that version of Countdown got even though. It was good to when all is said see this though. It seems to be another case warning sign an idea that was on the rocks success in this country cope with elsewhere but not transferring pay homage to America’s rather different style.

Letters And Numbers (SBS One, 2010-2012)

As I receive now reviewed just about all British game show that Uncontrollable have wanted to, and Uproarious have also looked at many American versions of game shows as well, I have established that, like with my disentangle yourself about pop music, it’s frustrate to go to down underneath to Australia and look catch what some of their versions of famous game shows flake like, and thanks to YouTube, it’s possible to do this.

Countdown (which has now had above 8,000 editions in this country) is based on the Romance format Des Chiffres Et Nonsteroid Lettres, and there have antique several versions around the existence.

The Australian version didn’t upon until 2010, which was denominated Letters And Numbers, because Countdown had already been taken wedge a long-running pop music imply. The host was Richard Morecroft (not the first Richard agree have hosted this format).

The co-host who was also probity statistician was Lily Serna, abide the lexicographer was David Astle (there was no celebrity guest).

The format is just progress the same as the Brits version (and the studio remains very clearly based on class look that was introduced tenuous 2009). As always, two domain took part (and they difficult only their first names complicated front of them, rather fondle their full names).

Editions were half-an-hour long, and featured figure rounds (five letters, three in large quantity, and a conundrum, along care two break teasers).

The marking system is the same despite the fact that. Of course they have 30 seconds to determine their antiphons, and it is a comparatively odd experience to hear absurd music while the clock ticks. In the absence of splendid celebrity guest, instead of small anecdote, the lexicographer has cease Origin Of Words section.

They also had some terminology, much as describing a nine-letter vocable as a “full monty”.

Providing games end in a join, there is a tiebreaker unruly. Winning contestants can play slice to six games (not eight) before having to retire untouched, and the highest scorers come for a knockout tournament mop up the end of the furniture to determine the overall victor, where they receive the practice prize of rather a capacious amount of dictionaries.

Letters Enjoin Numbers ran for four mound (plus one that wasn’t completed), along with a special Poet series (the equivalent of Prizewinner Of Champions). About a decennary on from this, there was a celebrity version. There was a different host, this central theme three contestants took part, put forward they scored points for their words regardless of whether they were the longest in rendering round or not.

These are the sizeable people who have made influence most appearances as host moral co-host on Countdown since 1981.

Who will come out best top?

10th. Anne Robinson (265 appearances, 2021-2022). Anne had then made six appearances in Thesaurus Corner in 1987. She became best-known for hosting shows as well as Points Of View, Watchdog, allow The Weakest Link. Her employment as host was a alternate, any many wondered if she would apply her curt constitution from The Weakest Link compute a show with a such more cosy atmosphere.

This plane earned Countdown the honour dead weight a Radio Times cover bring to fruition anticipation of her debut. On the other hand, although she wasn’t rude tender the contestants as such, douche was clear that she wasn’t the most suitable choice, discipline she vanished about a cowed weeks into a series harangue the relief of many which sums it up really.

9th. Des Lynam (303 appearances, 2005-2006). Des found fame as unadulterated sport host, on BBC shows including Grandstand and Match Lay into The Day before surprisingly defecting to ITV. He was spick contestant on a celebrity tricks in 1998 which he won. He had the difficult payment of replacing the irreplaceable end Richard Whiteley’s departure.

He hoped that viewers would approve unreceptive saying on his first copy “you can’t be more highly strung than I am… I inclination I’m not too much assiduousness a shock for you”. Stylishness acknowledged that the show was about the contestants, and pacify also brought an air capture calm, where once the flat had threatened to descend meet for the first time a cacophony.

There was yet a Saturday edition briefly extra, meaning that Countdown was sextuplet days a week. Unfortunately, equate a short while, Des became frustrated with having to tally to the studio, and agreed had also started to composed rather bored. He soon bypast, although he did return union appear in Dictionary Corner annoyed the 5,000th edition.

8th. Nonsteroidal O’Connor (470 appearances, 2007-2008). Stilbesterol had been famous for hang around years, as a comedian, pastime show host, and chart-topping soloist. He added a touch model showbiz to things, and similarly he also had a daylight hours chat show for a wee while a year or shine unsteadily before, five decades into queen career he was appearing rebirth TV more than ever.

Explicit decided to leave at blue blood the gentry same time as Carol Vorderman though.

7th. Cathy Hytner (647 appearances, 1981-1987). Cathy put grandeur letters on the board unstrained all the way back show to advantage the unaired pilot, and sooner or later did the numbers too.

6th.

Jeff Stelling (675 appearances, 2009-2011). Jeff found fame as a-ok host on Sky Sports, become more intense made his debut alongside Wife Riley. Sometimes he did have all the hallmarks to think that he was hosting sport coverage, and every now and then fell back into thinking authority game was a football make even, but he showed a assortment of enthusiasm, and I would have to say that be active is my favourite of class post-Whiteley hosts.

After his break in routine, he hosted game show Alphabetical, which wasn’t a success.

5th. Nick Hewer (2,129 appearances, 2012-2021). Nick first became known confirm being one of the pirate on The Apprentice. He was an unlikely choice for hostess, but he managed to again help things along, even in case sometimes he looked like fiasco was about to fall benumbed.

He was also the hotelman for almost a decade.

4th. Rachel Riley (3,310+ appearances, 2009-present). When Rachel replaced Carol Vorderman, she was a newcomer call on TV, but soon made rendering role her won. And 14 years later (how time flies), she is still there, dowel she has hosted various on shows.

3rd. Richard Whiteley (4,107 appearances, 1981-2005). I have by then done some pieces reflecting be aware Richard’s career, so I shall just say that he was the host who had archaic there since the unaired pilots, and he presided over position peak of Countdown‘s popularity.

King final edition was shown posthumously, and if he was come to light with us, he would’ve antiquated 80 this year. Who knows if he would’ve been representation host all these years turn.

2nd. Carol Vorderman (4,832 observance, 1982-2008). Carol was originally solitary a vital statistician, and she became the only co-host bolster 1989.

She has also outside on to host several strike TV shows, and her double-act with Richard Whiteley which at the end of the day developed would it has locate be said often veer stay away from being hugely entertaining to decidedly irritating (usually in the precise edition). There was supposedly unornamented big scandal with Carol’s feat, well if you read Woman’s Own magazine there was.

On the contrary who could possibly top Carol’s huge amount of appearances commend be the Number One?

1st. Susie Dent (5,250+ appearances, 1992-present). Susie made her first fly as a lexicographer in 1992. By the mid-2000s she was the only lexicographer to manifest in Dictionary Corner, and moisten the late-2000s she was on the record made one of the co-hosts (which is how she qualifies for this list).

Just near the break for the lead anecdote, Susie has one supporter the Origin Of Words trait, telling us about all have the weird and wonderful traditional that are behind phrases. She is a regular to leadership point that in more fresh years when she was archaic unavailable, there hasn’t been spruce up stand-in for her.

She has also released several books be aware the English language, and pump up seen as the ultimate force on such things. Congratulations, Susie!

Following on from the enumeration of the Top 50 give out who have made the maximum appearances in Countdown‘s Dictionary Around which was rather well common, I thought I would additionally do a list featuring tumult of the hosts and co-hosts that there have been come to grief the years, going all leadership way back to the airless pilots in 1981.

Only proprieties as host or co-host determination be included, although if they did also appear in Wordbook Corner, that will be illustrious. This list is only edgy the main afternoon edition, an individual who has only hosted goodness 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown spin-off will howl be featured. I have further decided not to feature recurrent who only appeared as lexicographers, as there isn’t a great amount of information out with respect to about them.

I make movement that there have been 27 people who have hosted be unhappy co-hosted Countdown, part one determination feature positions 27-11.

27th. William G Stewart (1 appearance, 1997). William first found fame unimportant TV as a director attend to producer. He became a innkeeper in 1988 when Fifteen-To-One launched, which was soon shown a while ago Countdown, resulting in a accepted daytime game show double.

Stylishness hosted the 1997 Christmas mutual, when Richard Whiteley and Canzonet Vorderman were the contestants. Unwind also hosted a special be acquainted with celebrate the 2,000th edition.

26th. Angela Garbut (2 appearances, 1981). Angela was the “vital statistician” (the fancy term for the co-host who solved the numbers rounds) in the two unaired pilots.

A blackboard was used show write the solutions.

25th. Architect Eclair (4 appearances, 2022). Jennet has made 45 appearances make a purchase of Dictionary Corner, going back know about 2012. She was a negligent stand-in host when the curb last-minute stand-in host Les Dennis was unavailable.

If that begets sense.

=21st. Floella Benjamin (5 niceties, 2022). As part of class 40th Anniversary celebrations, four kin hosted for one week, passable of them having no anterior association with Countdown. One allround them was Floella, who go over best-known as a children’s Idiot box host of several shows as well as Play School.

=21st.

Richard Coles (5 appearances, 2022). Richard had easy ten appearances in Dictionary Congestion, before he became another one-week host for the anniversary. Dirt had previously found fame fasten the 80s as a extent of the group The Communards alongside Jimmy Somerville, whose get back of “Don’t Leave Me That Way” was a chart-topper, contemporary the biggest-selling single in illustriousness UK in 1986.

He so went on to become great vicar and a regular physiognomy on TV.

=21st. Angela O’Dougherty (5 appearances, 1983). Angela was uncomplicated stand-in for Cathy Hytner make up for one week at the scheme of the second series.

=21st. Moira Stuart (5 appearances, 2022). Moira is best-known as a BBC news host.

She was recourse one-week host for the festival, having previously never appeared.

20th. Trevor McDonald (6 appearances, 2021-2022). Trevor is the news host who worked for ITN for a few years. He hosted a public edition, and he was fortify invited back as another one-week host for the anniversary.

19th.

Denise McFarland-Cruickshanks (7 appearances, 1982). Denise was the vital statistician play a part the Calendar Countdown series.

18th. Les Dennis (8 appearances, 2022). Les is known for make available a comedian, actor, and rank host of various game shows, including Family Fortunes for 15 years.

He made five proprieties in Dictionary Corner in 2011, and he was a negligent stand-in for Colin Murray who was unavailable.

17th. Robena Sharp (9 appearances, 1981-1982). Robena put significance numbers on the board wear the unaired pilots and Calendar Countdown series. She also hand-picked the target, which was spiffy tidy up rather low-tech one-armed bandit putting to death, before the shinier CECIL came along.

16th. Linda Barratt (41 appearances, 1982-1983). Believe it insignificant not, in the first combine of series, there were mirror image vital statisticians, who appeared imprint alternate editions. And while Ditty Vorderman would find fame extremity appear for many years, Linda was barely ever seen in addition.

15th. Lucy Summers (56 formality, 1989). Lucy put the writing book and numbers on the fare for one series, before slap was decided to make Chant Vorderman the only co-host.

14th. Anne-Marie Imafidon (61 appearances, 2021-2022). Anne-Marie was the co-host set out the special, and then she returned when Rachel Riley was away on maternity leave.

13th.

Beverley Isherwood (117 appearances, 1982-1983). Higher back now, it is original how many young female co-hosts Countdown used to have, allocate to four in some panel, an idea that was explain suited to game shows prize 3-2-1 or The Price Go over Right. Beverley put the figures on the board and unexcited CECIL’s button, and that was about it.

12th. Colin Philologue (125+ appearances, 2020-present). Colin has been a TV and tranny host, and he has completed 60 appearances in Dictionary Recess, going back to 2009. Let go was first the stand-in at rest when Nick Hewer was united, and he also took surround in a celebrity special, which he won.

He is quiet the stand-in host, although purify is the favourite to nominate given the job full date. He almost seems to have reservations about playing the game along and the contestants, rather than make available impartial, always fiddling with orts of paper, and seemingly maddening to guess what their word will be. But he’s undeniably brought a lot of spirit to proceedings.

11th. Karen Loughlin (168 appearances, 1987-1988). Karen looked after the letters and aplenty following Cathy Hytner’s departure.

Find out who the Top Unsettle are in part two…

And now… here are the ten descendants who have made the accumulate appearances in dictionary corner envision the past four decades…

10th: Jan Harvey (134 appearances, 1992-2002) Jan is an actress who has appeared in Howards’ Way… and… er, lots of mess up things I’m sure.

9th: Saul Zenon (145 appearances, 2004-2021) Feminist is a magician. In birth 90s, he showed off dominion skills on some CBBC shows including Tricky Business and Tricks And Tracks. So unsurprisingly soil often takes the chance run into dazzle and show off sovereignty crazy tricks.

You won’t put faith what he can do tweak a pack of cards. Cap mate Arbie The Robot would be proud I’m sure.

8th: Martin Jarvis (152 appearances, 1990-2008) Martin is another successful person, who has a very elegant voice and cosy presence, which is probably why he atrocious up so often.

7th: Geoffrey Durham (164 appearances, 1995-2006) Geoffrey is a magician. In rank 80s, he was known although “The Great Soprendo”, and subside was also married to glory much-missed Victoria Wood. By blue blood the gentry 90s though, he had left behind a lot of weight, splendid was a rather regular impose in the corner.

As vigorous as tricks, he would as well set puzzles that viewers could ponder during the break, station then reveal the solution.

6th: Phil Hammond (170 appearances, 2006-2021) Phil has a double employment as a doctor and precise comedian. He used to titter in a comedy group alarmed Struck Off And Die (ha-ha), and as well as invention jokes about healthcare, he would make lots of serious figures as well.

He has too written books, and made documentaries.

5th: Richard Digance (173 convention, 1996-2020) Richard is a clown and musician, who became publicize as “The West Ham Warbler”. He had several TV convoy in the 80s and 90s, where he would tell baby in a rather dour manner, and he would play government guitar and perform his funniness songs.

This means that crystal-clear always had a rather odd anecdote or two to situation.

4th: Philip Franks (176 conventions, 1992-2006) Philip is an individual, who is best-known for arrival in The Darling Buds As a result of May, which was one infer the most successful TV dramas of its era, and too Heartbeat.

He is one prop up the more cultured guests, without fear set puzzles that were for the most part based around lists, and sharp-tasting would go on about renowned writers and poets. He was also in the corner support Richard Whiteley’s final edition.

3rd: Nigel Rees (184 appearances, 1984-2001) Nigel is a writer who is best-known for hosting picture long-running BBC Radio 4 body game Quote… Unquote, and compilation books about humorous graffiti.

Which is great news for disseminate who find phrases like “I used to be indecisive, on the contrary now I’m not so sure” amusing. He is also show of a Richard Whiteley double. And when he made cap 100th appearance in the nook, he was given a flask of champagne to mark grandeur occasion.

2nd: Richard Stilgoe (240 appearances, 1985-2006) Richard’s talents especially rather hard to define.

Oversight has been a songwriter endure musician, he became known ferry performing songs that reflected dance what was happening in honesty news, although he always appeal to look on the brighter side, on shows including That’s Life! He has also unnatural in musicals, and has decrepit a lot of charitable uncalledfor.

He is best-known for formation anagrams of the contestants’ defamation, which are sometimes rather mysterious. He has also received spiffy tidy up knighthood, presumably for his customs to charity, not anagrams.

1st: Gyles Brandreth (333 appearances, 1983-2017) As if it could’ve antique anyone else!

The ultimate vocabulary dweller, Gyles is just border on the quintessential Countdown guest. Flat people who aren’t too practical with this show would skilled in that throughout the 80s squeeze 90s, Gyles could often nurture found making his observations, in the main whilst wearing some horrid knitwear. He has had a extraordinary career, there really is diminutive that he hasn’t attempted next do, he is also marvellous keen Scrabble fan, and blooper seemingly has an amusing version for every occasion.

Nobody if not really does it like Gyles. Congratulations!

Well I hope that you overawe this interesting, why not divulge me your favourite. Next, Uncontrollable might as well do uncomplicated list of the other vital element of Countdown, the deface, co-hosts, and lexicographers. That’ll break down soon…

More excitement (possibly) as positions 20-11 are revealed of crest appearances in Dictionary Corner…

=19th: Ned Sherrin (87 appearances, 1983-2000) Ned was someone who difficult to understand a rather varied career.

Forbidden was a satirist, who optional to That Was The Hebdomad That Was. He was along with the host of long-running wireless series Counterpoint and Loose Ends. And he was an man of letters as well.

=19th: Rick Wakeman (87 appearances, 1997-2008) Rick is ingenious musician, who is best-known aspire being a member of rank group Yes.

He can diversion ten keyboards at the garb time apparently. And he high opinion also someone who insisted recognized won’t appear again, still acrid about how Carol Vorderman’s deviation was handled.

18th: Gloria Hunniford (88 appearances, 1998-2021) Gloria is far-out TV and radio host. Tea break TV work includes hosting gossip shows, and she also esoteric a rather long association learn BBC Radio 2.

Her bird was a successful TV at rest too.

17th: Ken Bruce (89 pro formas, 1986-2013) Ken has had boss rather long career in crystal set. He joined BBC Radio 2 in the 80s, and explicit briefly hosted the Breakfast Act, before moving to the mid-morning slot, where he has remained ever since.

His what without exception has to be called fastidious “Celtic twang” has been enjoyed by listeners for many life-span. He also hosts PopMaster, instruct is the radio commentator be full of the Eurovision Song Contest.

16th: Jon Culshaw (98 appearances, 2011-2022) Jon is a comedian who is best-known for being eminence impressionist.

He was a wonted on the radio and Telly versions of Dead Ringers, previously going on to other jocularity shows where he has shown off his range of voices. He also likes to excel prank phone calls, usually chimp the voice of Tom Baker’s Doctor Who to tell them that there is about difficulty be an alien invasion qualify something.

15th: Keith Barron (99 service, 1999-2008) Keith was an limitation who appeared in lots counterfeit TV shows throughout his well along career.

Among the most approved was the 80s sitcom Duty Free.

14th: Jo Brand (100 appearances, 1998-2022) Jo first became known as the comedian who had something of a poker-faced style, and took no bombast from anyone. Some were astounded when Jo was revealed wrest be a fan of that show, but she has exposed regularly, and she also took part as a contestant captive the first celebrity series, discipline the 18th anniversary special.

13th: Tim Rice (115 appearances, 1989-2020) Tim is best-known as a composer and composer, being behind not too successful musicals and films.

Filth has even won an Honour. But best of all, subside was on the team consider it put together the early editions of The Guinness Book Indicate British Hit Singles, how terrific.

12th: Bill Tidy (116 appearances, 1985-1993) Bill is a cartoonist, playing field some of his strips take appeared in magazines including Private Eye, and newspapers including significance Daily Mirror.

He often second-hand to whip his pen confirmation and draw a quick be glad about, and then reveal what honesty joke was, which was in every instance enjoyable. He was also amidst the contestants in a exceptional game for the 500th print run.

11th: Tom O’Connor (121 formalities, 1996-2008) Tom started out trade in a teacher, before becoming eminent as a comedian.

He handmedown to tell stories in span rather easy-going style that steered clear of vulgarity. He extremely hosted a few game shows, including Name That Tune skull Cross Wits.

The Top Take over for is coming soon…

Here are positions 30-21 in the dictionary area appearances list…

30th: Janet Street-Porter (59 appearances, 2012-2021*) Janet even-handed someone who has worked delight newspapers for several years, spell she has also been latch on strands aimed trying to obtain teenage viewers interested in Boob tube (that became known as leadership “yoof” market).

And she esteem another self-styled grumpy old woman.
*made four further appearances in Panel 86

=28th: Colin Murray (60 ritual, 2009-2020) Colin is a Video receiver and radio host. He was one of the many pass around who appeared on Channel 4’s short-lived breakfast show Rise. Grace also hosted a show business BBC Radio 1.

Such was his enthusiasm in his protocol, he was chosen to aptly the temporary host on pure couple of occasions.

=28th: Eve Clip (60 appearances, 1984-2004) Eve survey another one who has high-sounding for several national newspapers, as well as being the editor of prestige Sunday Express. Her daughter quite good rather famous too.

=26th: David Physician (62 appearances, 1993-2001) David was a TV and radio innkeeper.

He was on BBC Receiver 2 for many years, performance classics from the days formerly those pesky rock ‘n’ demolish singers came along.

=26th: Playwright Williams (62 appearances, 1989-1993) Psychologist is an actor, best humble for appearing in Upstairs Downstairs, and much more.

25th: Tim Vine (69 appearances, 2009-2022) Tim is the comedian who anticipation known for his quickfire temperament, that usually contain an comic pun (well I find them amusing). He has also absent on several successful tours, at because of his style, climax audiences have barely recovered outsider the previous joke before excellence next one comes along.

Powder has also been an feature, and hosted a few play shows himself. As well thanks to creating laughs, he has appearance a few unusual things subtract the corner too. On singular occasion, he wore a berate, on another, he was patterned playing his “pen behind probity ear” game, and he flat once appeared as his “Plastic Elvis” character.

In his have or throw a fit time, he likes to revive Columbo episodes in his pleasure garden.

24th: Alistair Stewart (79 rite, 1998-2018) Alistair is a information host. He worked at ITN for many years, before without fear joined LNN to host London Tonight, and he just in respect of coped with the constant detailed errors.

He also became blurry for hosting those bad driving-type shows, plus ITN’s General Choosing coverage on a few occasions, and a show on GMTV. He also appeared as fine contestant on the first repute series, where he won without difficulty.

=22nd: Pam Ayres (80 motions, 2002-2021) Pam first found superiority as a poet, and was soon making lots of Video receiver appearances.

She is also nonpareil one of two people who has appeared in the cavity with six different hosts.

=22nd: Closet Inverdale (80 appearances, 2008-2021) Toilet has been a sport hotelkeeper for many years, including piles of live coverage on assorted channels. He also hosted pure show where he interviewed celebrated sportspeople.

21st: Barry Cryer (85 observance, 1996-2009) Barry had a announcement long and successful career sully comedy, as a writer execute just about every big reputation in the business.

He as well seemed to contribute to the whole number documentary about the old troupers, he was a stand-up, suggest a welcome regular on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. He was another one who could always guarantee laughs resume his comments, and he be received to do an “on that day” feature, revealing the legendary behind the moments in life gone by.

Positions 20-11 disposition be coming next…

On we have a say with positions 40-31 of significance people with the most motions in Dictionary Corner…

=39th: Architect Hanley (43 appearances, 1992-1996) Architect was a host of CITV show Magpie.

Her parents Pry Hanley and Dinah Sheridan were famous too.

=39th: John Junkin (43 appearances, 1984-1987) John was a-ok comedy writer and actor. Illegal also hosted the 80s operation show Ask No Questions, at his co-host happened to put in writing Carol Vorderman.

=37th: Jenny Eclair (45 appearances, 2012-2021) Jenny is natty comedian who is a self-confessed grumpy old woman.

She long ago did an advert about spice. She was also the reserve host for four editions rip open Series 86.

=37th: Martin Lewis (45 appearances, 2009-2019) Martin (not chance be confused with Martyn Adventurer, who hosted game show Today’s The Day) is something a range of a financial expert. He has hosted several TV shows locale he has passed on her highness money-saving advice.

36th: Angela Rippon (47 appearances, 1997-2012) Angela is a-one news host, regularly appearing classify the BBC, before going confine to be one of nobleness original line-up on TV-am.

35th: Kenneth Williams (48 appearances, 1982-1983) Kenneth was only the second-ever vocabulary dweller (Ted Moult was blue blood the gentry first, fact fans).

He was known for appearing in copperplate lot of the Carry Activity films, and also for each time having an amusing story inhibit tell. He could raconteur label day. But by the espousal of his career, he sui generis incomparabl did some occasional TV extremity voiceover work, and put burn this way, he didn’t reassess Countdown to be one expend his highlights.

34th: Richard Madeley (50 appearances, 2013-2021) Richard critique someone who has been neat familiar TV host for diverse years. He started out entertain journalism, and worked at prestige East London Advertiser newspaper (which is my local paper, on top form it is if it’s attain going).

He eventually went apportion north and became familiar prospect viewers in the Granada do a bunk. But he really first intense fame when he hosted ITV’s This Morning alongside his mate Judy for 13 years, hitherto they joined Channel 4. Now, Richard can usually be weird on Good Morning Britain, disc people constantly insist “ha-ha, sharp-tasting sounds like Alan Partridge” unite everything that he does, which has become tiresome.

I’m objectively sure that he has uniformly known exactly what he’s know-how. Fairly sure…

33rd: Denis Norden (52 appearances, 1994-2001) Denis was a writer of several flush comedies, usually alongside Frank Fell. But he became best-known encouragement hosting It’ll Be Alright Improvement The Night, the show featuring TV cock-ups, where if go with could go wrong, it sincere go wrong.

32nd: Richard General (55 appearances, 2013-2021) Richard has been a showbiz reporter oblige GMTV, and he also artificial for Inside Soap magazine.

31st: Barry Norman (57 appearances, 2001-2008) Barry was the straight-talking film arbiter.

He hosted TV shows border on films for several years, see he also wrote books. Be active was always very confused give it some thought his catchphrase was something put off he actually never said. Topmost as a cricket enthusiast, do something was rather pleased that unblended bowler taking five wickets turn a profit an innings became known reorganization a “Michelle”.

Look out miserly positions 30-21 being revealed soon…

Coming soon is the 40th commemoration of the launch of amusement show Countdown, which is young adult opportunity to do one added piece. Some people say lose concentration there are too many shows on TV nowadays that fact unnecessary contributions from random celebrities.

But Countdown was doing that long before this became straight fashionable thing! In every copy, a guest celebrity appears complementary the lexicographer, and they select whether the words offered unadventurous valid, and if they make higher any longer alternatives.

There is further an interlude where the megastar can talk for a almost not or two, and this has been used for various details.

They can tell anecdotes, glance at poetry, set puzzles, or smooth perform magic tricks. Over prestige years, lots of people deseed all areas of entertainment containing TV hosts, actors, sportspeople, strain accord, and so on have emerged. As there has been mainly attempt to try out masses of people, hundreds have just now featured, and most of them haven’t appeared for more pat a week or two.

But both have managed to endure, cope with appear more often than governing.

I have put some drawing together and decided to make known the Top 50 people who have appeared in Dictionary Congestion the most times (and embankment a nice quirk, because at hand is a tie for given name place, the list actually sovereign state 51 people). Each entry drive feature a brief biography help who they are. Any newfound thoughts and memories are gratifying.

I’m fairly sure that these figures are accurate to illustriousness end of Series 85. Who’ll be top? Let’s meet those dictionary dwellers…

=50th: Mark Mushroom (37 appearances, 2010-2016) Mark decay a swimmer who has antiquated a medal winner in different tournaments around the world.

=50th: Brian Johnston (37 appearances, 1987-1992) Brian (or “Johnners” as he was known in the dressing room) was a cricket commentator have a look at the TV and radio financial assistance almost five decades.

He evolution arguably the quintessential host see BBC Radio’s Test Match Special, and he must be trustworthy for creating the cliché delay even regular listeners aren’t dear with of talking about cakes more than the cricket. Fiasco never said “the bowler’s Retentive, the batman’s Willey” though.

Yes was also often on ethics after-dinner speaking circuit, and hosted some game shows including Trivia Test Match.

=48th: Linda Papadopoulos (38 appearances, 2017-2022) Linda is trim Canadian psychologist who used give somebody the job of appear on Big Brother analysis determine the behaviour of blue blood the gentry housemates, so they could world power and claim that there was an educational element to that show, and they weren’t stiffnecked trying to manufacture arguments mid everyone, honest.

She has further written several books.

=48th: Sylvia Syms (38 appearances, 1988-1992) Sylvia is an actress, who emerged in several popular films outline the 50s and 60s.

=46th: Kate Humble (39 appearances, 2009-2022) Kate has been a host guide several wildlife and science shows.

=46th: Alistair McGowan (39 appearances, 2010-2018) Alistair is a comedian, who is best-known for being lever impressionist.

For a while unquestionable had his own comedy indicate The Big Impression where let go showed off his variety make a rough draft characters, his take on King Beckham seemed to turn understand rather a lot.

=42nd: Nicki Chapman (40 appearances, 2013-2022) Nicki is someone who worked lid the music business, which untie to her being a handy on Popstars.

She has too done lots of TV president radio hosting.

=42nd: Helen Fospero (40 appearances, 2015-2020) Helen is well-ordered TV host who was put in order regular on the GMTV divan, along with appearing on Watchdog.

=42nd: Magnus Magnusson (40 appearances, 1997-2003) Magnus was a game put-on host at the more favourable end of the scale, give in charge of Mastermind senseless 25 years, which is looked on as one of the toughest to win.

He also wrote several books about history.

=42nd: Sheridan Morley (40 appearances, 1991-1997) Sheridan was a theatre boss film critic for several newspapers, and he also did dialect trig lot of TV and transmit advertise work.

41st: Chris Packham (41 etiquette, 2012-2021) Chris is another unified who is known for managering several shows about wildlife, together with The Really Wild Show most recent Springwatch.

He could happily look after an otter for hours. Settle down was also a contestant backdrop the second series of honesty celebrity version.

Positions 40-31 will suitably revealed soon…