Countdown crowns first female champion in 26 years-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Fiona Wood has urged more women to apply after winning Countdown (Picture: Channel 4/PA Wire)

Countdown has named its first female winner in nearly three decades.

Forensic accountant Fiona Wood, from Kinross, Scotland, has finally broken the wild loosing streak from women contestants on the Channel 4 show.

The long-running numbers and words game show, which has been on the broadcaster since it launched, has unbelievably not had a female champion since 1998.

However, Fiona nearly lost to her male opponent Chris Kirby as the match went right down to the wife but she ultimately prevailed by getting the final conundrum: lassitude, meaning a state of physical or mental weariness.

Fiona said she applied to the show after an appeal from presenter Colin Murray, 47,and lexicographer Susie Dent, 60, who appealed for more older and female players.

‘I have absolutely no regrets about applying and would encourage other women to give it a go,’ she urged.

She is the first female winner of the Channel 4 show in 26 years (Picture: Channel 4/PA Wire)

After Susie and Colin’s appeals, along with mathematician Rachel Riley, 38, applications from women have soared, Channel 4, said with insiders hoping more applications will follow on from Fiona’s win.

‘Fiona delighted us all and gave us one of the very best moments in our 42-year history,’ Susie, who has appeared in the ‘dictionary corner’ since 1992, said.

‘This series also reminded us how much Countdown is a show for everyone, and we would encourage anyone who loves the game to apply via countdown@channel4.com.’

Last year, Northern Irish TV presenter Colin was named the permanent host of Countdown, taking over from former The Weakest Link host Anne Robinson.

Applications from female players have soared since appeals from Rachel, Colin and Susie (Picture: PA)

Countdown has been on air since Channel 4’s inception and presnted by the likes of Anne (Picture: Rachel Joseph/ Channel 4)

Anne, 80, stepped down in 2022 after recording 265 episodes after rumours of a feud with Rachel.

Rachel previously described Anne as not ‘the cuddliest person in the world’ and later admitted it was ‘no secret’ she preferred her ‘friendly’ replacement Colin Murray.

She described the atmosphere on set with Colin as ‘very different’ to when she appeared alongside Anne on Countdown.

Spilling further, Rachel told The Sun: ‘Each presenter has their own style and you don’t always gel with everybody that you work with.

Countdown’s first presenter was the late Whitely (Picture: Channel 4)

Des then joined Carol on Countdown after Whitely’s death (Picture: PA)

‘Well, you’re not going to get a sympathetic shoulder to cry on from Anne. But she might make you cry!’

However, Anne shut down feud rumours on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored last May after the former Good Morning Britain host stated that ‘she didn’t get on’ with Rachel.

Correcting him, the veteran presenter replied: ‘No, I didn’t not get on with her, but some performers like a lot of noise around them before they go on air and others like me, who are trying to get their contestants to remember what their hobbies are, would like some quiet while she’s doing that.’

Adapted from the French TV series Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters), Countdown was originally hosted by Richard Whiteley.

Nick Hewer, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling have also served as presenters.

Countdown is on Channel 4 from Monday to Friday at 2.10pm.

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