The Countdown Experience By James Aukett
			"Countdown, produced by Yorkshire Television, is Channel 4's longest running TV programme. It was the very first show broadcast on the channel in 1982, and since then has proved very popular with viewers alike. Its various fast paced words and numbers games pit the mental powers of the contestants against the clock. The show has been presented by the following people: Richard Whiteley (1982-2005) Des Lynam (2005-2006) Des O'Connor (2007 onwards) Carol Vorderman has been co-host throughout the show's history. No matter what way you look at it, Countdown still remains a main centrepiece of weekday teatime television."
			I had originally applied to appear for Countdown in 1997 before I went for my audition the following year. Having failed that dismally, it was going to be another 18 months before I went for another audition in January 2000. That time I came close but still no cigar. My next audition in August at London's Alexandra Palace (just down the road from where I used to live!) proved to be third time lucky as I received a letter from then series producer Mark Nyman confirming I had succeeded in passing the audition, inviting me to come to Leeds in November to record my appearance. And so it was on Wednesday 8th November 2000 that took the very long train journey to Leeds in order to go to Yorkshire Television Studios for my recording. Having spent the evening relaxing in a hotel, I set about the business of getting whatever sleep I could get in order to prepare myself for the great feat the following day. The morning came, and after refreshing myself, I got ready to take the short walk to the studios. I arrived quite early at 11.30am (I was the first person there!) before I was finally met by the unit assistant who showed me to the dressing room. I was soon having a chat with my fellow contestants before being ushered off to the make-up room for a light dusting of powder.  (The make-up department do not cut, shave or blow-dry hair nor do they give a shampoo and set - you have been warned!) The time then came for everyone to go into the studios to start the recording. I had to sit in the first row for the first recording as my first game was going to be the next one. After a brief intoduction by warm-up man Greg Scott of Richard, Carol, guest celebrity Anya Sitaram (of Tomorrow's World fame) and lexicographer Richard Samson (who hadn't been seen on the show for six years!) the recordings started. I was then informed that the date of transmission for my first appearance would be Tuesday 12th December 2000. Having sat through the first recording wondering whether I would be facing the current champion, maths teacher (!) Stephen Briggs, or Scottish psychiatrist Donald Lyons, it seemed that I had drawn the short straw when Stephen went on to win the game. Then came the big crunch - the introduction of the next contestant. I had been advised by a friend of one of the quarter finalists (which I'll come into later) not to say whether I had or hadn't got the conundrum. So when Richard did eventually ask me, I came up with: "I've only just woken up so I don't know how the conundrum went!" Well it seemed to work. Cue ripples of hilarious laughter around the studio before the end of the first recording. Then I quickly went off for a change of clothes before re-entering the studio. My opponent Stephen and I went to our respective chairs on the set. Richard W (seeing as there were two Richards that day!) soon followed and I was engaged in a little chat with him before the big recording, who said what a delightfully cheeky chappie I was. He also noticed my short No1 haircut, to which I said had only been cut yesterday, and before that was 'only just a bit longer!' Then came the request for silence. 3,2,1....  The recording was about to start, my stint of fame was about to begin....
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