c4countdown

A lot of you already know about this, but David's mum has asked me to alert the wider Countdown community to some very bad news.

A week ago, David Barnard suffered a very serious cardiac arrest. Subsequent to the heart attack, he has suffered an inordinate number of seizures, and is in intensive care in a highly critical condition. There's no way to dress it up well - he is in bad shape, not out of the woods, and may have still-untold amounts of damage going forward. The only bright spot is that the fits seem to have largely abated today, but it is too early to truly know anything about the future.

You will know David from his time on the show (series 67 semi-finalist), and from the Apterous/Co:event circuit. He had moved off the scene in recent years in order to give full attention to his main love, pool, at which he is pretty fricking good. But those of us on the scene before his departure will no doubt remember David as one of the most unique people that was ever on it. Be it his passion for all things Countdown, pool or football trivia related, David was no wallflower. I personally fondly remember the way he kept alternately denying being tired at the first Co:Bliv in between falling asleep. Good times.

I hope we can do it again sometime. David always went hard at things, no middle ground, and the same will no doubt be true of his recovery journey. Until then, pour one out for David B Barnard, and look after yourselves.


EDIT: Thread title, for obvious reason.

This is horrible news and we can only hope that he can make a good recovery from this. Although I don't know him very well I have met David at a few events before his Countdown retirement so this is quite shocking.

I haven't met David in person, but very much enjoyed his ZoomDown appearances - seems like a nice natured lad with a good sense of humour!

Hope you get to read this soon David - thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

Yeah was shocked to hear this, please extend our best wishes to him and his family, we're all thinking of him.

Absolutely crushing news. Didn't know him too much personally but he seemed very amiable and full of energy - my best wishes are with him and his loved ones at this time.

Discovered the news on Facebook a few days ago. Thoughts are with him, his family and friends at this worrying time.

All the best to David and his loved ones.

Always sad to hear a member of Countdonia is suffering. Hope he pulls through.

This certainly came out of the blue for me, loved seeing him on ZD having such a good time. Hoping for the absolute best for the guy. <3

Terrible news. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

I saw it on facebook, David is always a pleasure to play with and we always have a good laugh .... wishing him a speedy recovery x

Update - David has opened his eyes. Long way to go, but it's all progress.

Ah that's great news, thanks for the update Mark

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Sat Apr 16, 2022 6:58 pm Update - David has opened his eyes. Long way to go, but it's all progress.

That is great news Mark, thank you for the update.

He had a scan today which showed nothing of consequence, and they are now talking about rehab. This is positive news.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:07 pm He had a scan today which showed nothing of consequence, and they are now talking about rehab. This is positive news.

Oh wow, excellent news - this is sounding way more optimistic than last week!

Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:24 am

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:07 pm He had a scan today which showed nothing of consequence, and they are now talking about rehab. This is positive news.

Oh wow, excellent news - this is sounding way more optimistic than last week!

That is great news

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:07 pm He had a scan today which showed nothing of consequence, and they are now talking about rehab. This is positive news.

Very encouraging. Hoping that David makes a full recovery soon.

Sending prayers-terribly sorry to hear he's not been well, but glad to hear the encouraging news

He's now had a tracheotomy, reducing the chances of infection and is now breathing and swallowing a lot easier.

He reacted positively when this thread was mentioned to him so please keep up the kind words.

He's off the ventilator now and they plan to move him to a regular ward once they remove the tracheostomy tube.

Sending best wishes to David. He has a great sense of humour, I always had a good laugh playing him on Apterous. Get well soon, David.

Anyone have an update on how David's doing?

Paul Anderson wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:51 am Anyone have an update on how David's doing?

The latest I've seen from his mother (posted yesterday):

I saw David today. He has got a speaking valve in his tracheostomy. He has started making noises for the first time and he looks really surprised every time it happens. He hasn't been able to prop his head up as the muscle tone has gone in his neck.
He looked happy to see and hear me and seemed to smile when I told him I was going to drop my phone on his head again. I'm visiting him tomorrow so I hope to have some more good news for you all xx

By the way, there's a JustGiving page for David.

So, let's not beat around the bush here. It's a hard truth but it's an unavoidable one. After much testing and unsuccessful rehabilitation, it has been determined that there is no hope of recovery for David, and he is being moved into hospice care for whatever time he has left.

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Sat Sep 17, 2022 4:53 pm So, let's not beat around the bush here. It's a hard truth but it's an unavoidable one. After much testing and unsuccessful rehabilitation, it has been determined that there is no hope of recovery for David, and he is being moved into hospice care for whatever time he has left.

That's incredibly sad to hear. I just hope he has as good a quality of life as is possible there with the time he has left. Poor David. My thoughts are with his family.

Learned of this development a few weeks ago. This is an unbelievably sad time. My healtfelt thoughts are with this family and friends.

Absolutely awful news. Only ever met David once, but he seemed a top lad. My thoughts are with him and his family and I hope he can be made as comfortable as possible in whatever time he has left.

Very sad news indeed. I hope his mum has the support she needs at this incredibly difficult time. My thoughts are with David and his mum.

Really wish I coulda met the guy, looks like he always had a good time when I saw him on Zoomdown. Thoughts and prayers to him and his close friends and family.

This is a proper shame. David was a top guy!

Was just thinking about him, that’s very sad news indeed. Please extend our sympathies to his Mum.

That is so sad David is a really nice guy, sympathies to his family.

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Sat Sep 17, 2022 4:53 pm So, let's not beat around the bush here. It's a hard truth but it's an unavoidable one. After much testing and unsuccessful rehabilitation, it has been determined that there is no hope of recovery for David, and he is being moved into hospice care for whatever time he has left.

Very sad news. Sending best wishes and thoughts to David's family.

I am sorry to be posting like this, I have received bad news from David's friends and family that he has only weeks left to live please spare a thought for his friends and family at this sad time.

Looks like he won’t make it to Christmas this year, after seeing on his Facebook wall he only has 2-3 weeks left. Devastating beyond comprehension. Heartfelt wishes to his family and friends at this unbelievably devastating moment of sadness.

Yes, it's all very sad. Not sure what else to add really.

Contrary to the misinformation of some absolute pricks in this community - who seem so committed to being edgy and/or in the know that they're willing to lie about someone else's life - David is still with us. It is true that he has mere days left. But he's still here, no matter what the lying fuckers out there among us say. (And yes, receipts are being kept.)

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:29 am Contrary to the misinformation of some absolute pricks in this community - who seem so committed to being edgy and/or in the know that they're willing to lie about someone else's life - David is still with us. It is true that he has mere days left. But he's still here, no matter what the lying fuckers out there among us say. (And yes, receipts are being kept.)

God some motherfuckers have a real nerve to pull shit like that. Stupid as hell for people to pull that kinda stuff in THIS fucking day and age, drives me up the wall. Glad to at least hear that he's still doing okay, but really hope for him to live for as long as he's able to. Sending some more love and support to him and his family in thought.

By Countdown community do you mean Apterous specifically, as I haven't seen anything here?

I am referring to Facebook posts and private chat messages circulated by, and emanating from, C4C and Apterous members.

ICBW and I think you know more about who's said what where than I do, but I got the impression it stemmed from a misunderstanding based on a badly worded post (which has largely been dealt with elsewhere) which implied he was no longer with us, rather than a deliberate attempt to pretend he had died.

It goes without saying that this is an incredibly tough time for those close to him, so everyone needs to think carefully before they post anything that could be misinterpreted or add to the family's distress.

Of course if someone really did deliberately lie rather than accidentally mislead about this, then that is completely unforgiveable.

Have removed a couple of posts that threatened to derail this thread. Let's keep it about David, please.

Well done, Ben and a huge thank you for doing that.

The post from Mark that starts with:-

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:29 am Contrary to the misinformation of some absolute pricks in this community

...is utterly unnecessary, in bad taste, and derails the thread.
Please remove it, and any other post (including this one) that replies to it or quotes it.

Thank you.

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 5:32 pm The post from Mark that starts with:-

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:29 am Contrary to the misinformation of some absolute pricks in this community

...is utterly unnecessary, in bad taste, and derails the thread.
Please remove it, and any other post (including this one) that replies to it or quotes it.

Thank you.

Funnily enough that's what I thought Ben did or at least meant to do

People who lie about his welfare - not those mistaken by the disjointed misinformation, but those outright claiming it - are indeed absolute pricks and I retract nothing.

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 7:08 am Have removed a couple of posts that threatened to derail this thread. Let's keep it about David, please.

Well done Ben there is no need for hateful and vitriolic posts on this thread, please spare a thought for his poor mother in all of this she does not deserve any of it and nor does David people need to be respectful when they post.

Even better if everything in the last three days was deleted and a few bans were issued.

It's rather like when someone doesn't observe the minute's silence at a football match, and some moron thinks the appropriate response is to bellow foul-mouthed abuse.

There's conspiracy theories about his welfare, and yet it's all the swearing that his mum would find the problem. Gotcha. Oh for a head as cool as yours, to really focus on what matters.

No change for David ATM. His mum would however like to ask if anyone has copies of his appearances on Countdown (a letters and numbers game show on Channel 4) that she could have, as they no longer have copies and would ofc like them.

On an uplifting note, David's mum got married in the past few weeks, and David was the de facto best man. In his condition, special permission had to be sought in order for him to be able to attend, permission from the medical teams and the Church of England. But they all stepped up, with the Archbishop of Canterbury himself personally stepping in to do the procedural things that needed doing. Pretty cool

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:19 pm There's conspiracy theories about his welfare, and yet it's all the swearing that his mum would find the problem. Gotcha. Oh for a head as cool as yours, to really focus on what matters.

No change for David ATM. His mum would however like to ask if anyone has copies of his appearances on Countdown (a letters and numbers game show on Channel 4) that she could have, as they no longer have copies and would ofc like them.

Here's his 2 finals games Mark:

QF - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8ajjpm

SF - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8an2fk

Cheers, those were also the two I'd found. Anyone got the heats?

Sadly not. Although if you email the show I believe they can give you a copy or copies!

I really hope I don't know any of the people who have been spreading rumors about David. Yes, in the last in-depth conversation we had, he may have had a few drinks, but he had meant well in that conversation. Unfortunately, we didn't say goodbye because I think he would have been sober and had more to say at a later time. Sadly, we'll never know.

Ben, I want to tell you that I think David was drinking responsibly at the time. I do not mean to start any more conspiracy theories about David based on his alcohol consumption. Anyone who met me in Huddersfield will tell you that we did drink before our dinner at the Yorkshire Rose Pub before our dinner six years ago, and I knew not to judge people for drinking anyway.

Does anyone have proof that David was at his mom's wedding? May I possibly see a picture of David while he was conscious, please? It amazed me to read Mark's post stating he was actually there!

Regardless, when someone's last Facebook post states their discomfort, you know something is wrong. I remember his mom replying to that post asking him what was wrong, and he did not reply to her. It is terribly sad that she may never find out what caused his illness in the first place.

Once again, it is a real blow to know that David is nearing the end of his life, but we shall remember him for what he is - a great Countdown player, and a very humble person.

David died at 9.50pm this evening.

Thanks for letting us know Mark. RIP David.

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:10 pm David died at 9.50pm this evening.

Very sad news. RIP David. Thoughts with those from the community who knew him well, and especially for his mum and family.

Very sorry to hear this. RIP David and condolences to his family and friends.