Channel 4 show crowns Fiona Wood first female winner in 26 years
Channel 4/PAA forensic accountant from Scotland has become the first woman to win the countdown in 26 years.
The long-running numbers and word game show has produced five other female champions since its launch on Channel 4 in 1982, but none in the 21st century.
Friday’s final match between Kinross’s Fiona Wood and Chris Kirby went down to the wire, but the accountant had to wait until the last moment before correctly identifying the final piece of the puzzle as ” Winning after being tired” (referring to a state of physical or mental fatigue).
“I have absolutely no regrets about applying and would encourage other women to give it a try,” Wood said.
Wood is the sixth woman to win Countdown, which has been broadcast by Channel 4 since 1982, the year the network launched.
That year, crossword compiler Joyce Cansfield won the first Countdown series.
Four more women have since won the series – Hilary Hopper (1987), Liz Barber (1990), Verity Joubert (1990) Joubert, 1995) and Kate Ogilvie (1998).
Wood explained that she decided to apply after presenter Colin Murray called on older contestant, lexicographer Suzy Dent, to encourage more women to apply.
Channel 4 said there had been a surge in applications from women following an appeal by Murray, Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley.
Channel 4/PA“Fiona delighted us all and gave us one of the best moments in our 42-year history,” said Dent, who has appeared in the show’s Dictionary Corner since 1992.
“This series also reminds us that Countdown is a show for everyone and we encourage anyone who loves the game to apply.”
Last year, Murray took over as the permanent host of “Countdown” following the departure of former “Weakest Link” host Anne Robinson.
Countdown is an adaptation of the French television series Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters), originally hosted by Richard Whiteley and co-hosted by Carol Vorderman.
Nick Hewer, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor and Jeff Stelling also served as presenters.
