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These are links I've found with some reference to the Channel 4 game. If you find any more that are of interest, please let me know.

C4 Countdown

Have your say about Countdown, or read the comments of others, on the C4 Countdown Yahoo! discussion group. This forum is aimed at 'past, present and future contestants' and now has over 400 members and around 10,000 messages to read.

The Countdown Corral

Webmaster Soo Reams has created a wonderful website that includes recap indexes for recent series, details of nine-letter words offered on the show and Paul Howe's fantastic letter and number generator Countgen (now in its second generation). You can also browse through seemingly endless statistics from the history of Countdown and peruse the latest ratings derived from various competitions.

Wikipedia Entry for Countdown

Recently updated by the Countdown Corral's Soo Reams, together with Series 53 semi-finalist Jon O'Neill, the entry for Countdown on this well-known online encyclopedia is now pretty comprehensive and well worth a look.

Countdown in Lincoln

Maintained by Series 46 champion Ben Wilson, this is the site containing details of the annual Countdown in Lincoln (COLIN) tournament. Well worth a look.

Countdown in Bristol

Part of Jerry Humphrey's website (see below), these pages give details of COBRIS, the tournament held in Bristol during July. Recommended viewing.

The Official Countdown Page

Countdown's official home on the Web was given a much-needed makeover following Richard Whiteley's death, and as well as some info about the new combination of Des Lynam and Carol, it also includes a potted biography of Richard's life and a small gallery of pictures. It's still possible to visit the previous Channel Four effort by going here.

A Tribute To Richard Whiteley

A tribute site set up by Steven Murphy, which includes a book of condolence, together with - amongst other things - a full transcript of Carol's very moving 'Calendar' interview recorded the day after Richard's death, and a tribute from the headmaster of Giggleswick School.

Gevin's Countdown Group

Despite having been somewhat usurped by C4 Countdown, Gevin's Countdown Group is still worth a look - there are over 8,000 messages posted by well over a hundred people, many of them former contestants, including the contributions of producer Damian Eadie. Also contains an interesting archive of photos and much of the text from the original Reach 4 Forum.

Countdown Update UK

Sadly no longer being maintained, Series 49 semi-finalist Martin Gardner serves up a tasty dish of Countdown treats, including playing tips, the very readable "Fact File" and details of seeds, grand finals, centurions, octochamps, etc..

Neb's Countdown Site Version 3

This site, written by Ben 'Nebagram' Wilson (see above) has not been updated recently, but has plenty of information for the Countdown enthusiast, including playing tips, a list of prizes and a great article on the legendary Harry Peters. Also contains a link to the still-interesting Version 2.

The (Alternative) Countdown Links Page

Mike Brailsford, the man behind the Countdown Appreciation Web Ring, presents this set of Countdown-related links, including one which takes us to his experience on the show back in Series 53.

The Countdown Games Page

Noel Edmonds' biggest fan (or so it would appear!) provides Countdown quizzes to entertain you, if five a week is simply not enough to keep you going.

The UK Game Show Page

This is a superb quiz show reference, which includes a substantial page dedicated to Countdown, and the excellent "Weaver's Week".

QuizPlayers.com

An excellent website from Peter Ediss and Will Jones featuring a wealth of information about several popular UK quiz shows, including "Fifteen to One", "Number One" and of course "Countdown". Includes rules for the games, potted biographies of presenters, and links to the Amazon website for quiz show merchandise. Unfortunately, the Countdown section still refers to the nine-round game, but it's worth a read.

Zef's Countdown Summaries

Countdown enthusiast Zef gives us the low-down on most of the games in the last nine-round series of Countdown (Series 45).

Loz's Countdown Game

Now rather showing its age, but still well worth a look, Loz Archer's PC version of Countdown is based on the nine-round format of the game. Hear Carol read out the letters and numbers, while Richard starts the clock. It's just like old times, really...

Robovord

One of the first Java applets to appear on the 'Net that solves the numbers game - and it has a Northern accent to boot (well, sort of...). John Rowland, take a bow!

Andrew Donald's Numbers Game Solver

Another Java applet that does much the same as Robovord, but without the Northern accent.

Countdown's Numbers Game

Neil Rashbrook's number-solving program provides another Robovord alternative.

Countup

Jeremy Jones' contribution to the numbers game solver market, but this one can be downloaded for free and run while you're offline.

Crossword Tools

William Tunstall-Pedoe, the man behind the legendary "Anagram Genius" software, has launched this site containing (amongst other things) Countdown letters and numbers game solvers. That's the good news... The bad news is that, unlike its predecessor, it's no longer entirely free, although you can use it to a limited extent without paying for a subscription. William's comments on the statistics and mathematics behind the numbers game are happily still freely available on the site and well worth a read.

Ian Taylor's Conundrum Game

While away a few minutes by testing yourself on the conundrum with Ian's fun on-line game.

FlashBits Countdown Conundrum

Described by the authors as 'a zaptastic game for pleasure and time wasting', this extremely well presented and quite addictive conundrum game is a highly recommended addition to the Countdown sites on the Web. Don't forget to turn the sound on for best results! (Requires Macromedia Flash 6)

Le Compte est-il Juste!

Fred Just has written this excellent little numbers game player, spurred on no doubt by Countdown's parent programme, "Des Chiffres et Des Lettres".

CountCheat

Yes, CountCheat, the Countdown letters games solver from Adrian O'Neill that you can download and run offline is back! The latest version (2.2) has several improvements over the first, but requires the .NET framework to be present on your PC. Recommended.

Daz's Web Site

Based on the ZX Spectrum version of the Countdown game, this is an attractive addition to the Countdown software market. It contains some particularly fine sound clips for you to enjoy.

Ben Mason's Letters Game Solver

Ben's letters game solver has been around for a while now, but he is currently working on a numbers game solver to keep it company, as well as letter and number generators to allow you to play Countdown using the site.

Kountdown

Launched in 2003, this site offers you to chance to play all three disciplines of Countdown online, as well as checking any letters and numbers game solutions you wish, while adding a dash of humour to the proceedings. In an amusing attempt at avoiding copyright issues, just about everything beginning with a 'C' has been changed to begin with a 'K', so stand by to solve that 'konundrum' and choose your letters from 'Karol'. Oh yes, and CECIL has become 'ERIK'. Well worth a look when you're in the mood for it...

Neil Mitchell's Countdown Solver

Yet another addition to the letters and numbers game solver market, this one is downloadable and appears to be extremely fast. Version 1.1 includes many enhancements over the previous release, including a much-improved letter distribution, the correct number distribution, and validation to warn you if you pick the wrong number of vowels or consonants.

Numbers and Letters Solvers

Yet more letters and numbers solvers, from Stephen McIntosh, both with and without dictionary support.

Ed Ratzer's Online Countdown Puzzle Solvers

Apparently, these have been on the Web for the past seven years, but until now have escaped my notice. However, thanks to an email from Ed, I finally know of their existence! Mr Ratzer's solvers provide a fast alternative to the ever-increasing number of similar programs out there.

Gareth Evans' Countdown Numbers Game

Although this is yet another numbers game player/solver in an already crowded market, this Flash program does have a rather neat interpretation of CECIL and the numbers board, which allows you to pick your own numbers and press a big red button to start the clock. Worth a visit for the visual element in particular.

The Countdown Database

"The youngest person always wins on Countdown." Or do they? Following this comment from his partner Sarah, Steve Paget set out to analyse this in depth by looking at the results over several months. A refreshingly different look at Countdown statistics, and well worth a few minutes of your time.

Graham Hutton's Numbers Game Methodology

One for the academics - Nottingham University's Graham Hutton discusses functional programming methods of solving the numbers game.

Anagramania

Not technically a Countdown site, but the fact that this game written by Richard Matthews allows you to compete online in a vowel-and-consonant-fest warrants its inclusion.

The first ever Countdown

Courtesy of TV Ark, relive the opening moments of the first ever edition of Countdown - the Channel 4 logo, the original opening credits and music, the original set and Richard Whiteley's first words to the nation as Countdown host.

Big Mags Fan Homepage

As featured on the show, a collection of some of the 'best' of Richard's jokes from the opening minutes of Countdown, plus some other Whiteley quotes. Also includes the legendary "Leotard Watch".

Susie Dent 4T

Although I'm not especially into plugging fan sites about Countdown's personalities, this one featuring Susie Dent is bound to prove popular with lots of people. As well as the inevitable screen shots, author "The Hiccuping (sic) Monkey" has also included some other interesting Susie stats.

Tom Grundy's Audience Experience

Making rather a refreshing change, Leeds University student Tom Grundy gives us an insight into what it's like to be a member of the Countdown audience for a recording session.

Celebrity Dubbin

Edward Wild has spotted Richard (and others) with a can of dubbin - now you can too.

Ask Oxford - Countdown

Countdown's home on the OUP website, and well worth a visit, although it could do with an update. Includes a sample audition used by the production team to recruit contestants back in 1999 - very useful info if you're thinking of making your own bid for Countdown super-stardom.

James Aukett's Countdown Experience

Series 43 contestant James Aukett tells us all about his attempts to lay his hands on the coveted Countdown winner's teapot.

Jerry's Countdown Page

Jerry Humphreys gives us details of his titanic struggle to prevent eventual Series 49 champion John Davies from being an octochamp, as well as giving us some tips on using four from the top row in the numbers game. Now updated with a fascinating insight into the aborted recording of Jerry's Countdown Special.

Andrew Tatham's Countdown Page

Series 49 semi-finalist Andrew Tatham shares his Countdown photos with the world. The rest of his site is worth a look too.

Independent review

Tim Dowling of The Independent praises the mighty Countdown.

"Off The Telly" Reviews

This review of the 18th birthday special by Ian Jones is now accompanied by five other Countdown reviews on the same site. You can also read his opinions of the first 45-minute show, the birthday shows broadcast on November 1st, 2002, November 3rd, 2003 and November 2nd, 2004, and a review of the first programme to feature Des Lynam as host, which aired on October 31st, 2005.

Matthew Turner Interview

A very readable interview with Series 43 runner-up Matthew Turner.

Association of British Scrabble Players

Now managed by Series 17 finalist Evan Simpson, this site is not directly connected with Countdown, but is nevertheless a great site to visit - both for those interested in goings-on in the Scrabble world, and also for those wishing to take a trip down Countdown's Memory Lane, as the pages contain the names of many former contestants.

Offical Website of the London Scrabble League

As well as hosting details of the London Scrabble League, which can count many former Countdown contestants amongst its membership, Mauro Pratesi, husband of Series 18 contestant Diane, offers up some extras, including a wonderful Countdown gallery, featuring many great images of Countdowners from the past, including Mark Nyman, Harvey Freeman, Michael Wylie and the first ever Countdown daily champion, the late Michael Goldman.

All links checked 14th May 2006.