c4countdown

Posted: **Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:44 pm**

Is this correct?

For safeguarding purposes, Countdown will now only use the first names of the contestants on their nameplates - no more surnames.

Posted: **Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:55 pm**

Just the nameplates or their name as referred to on the show at all times?

Just listing the greatest players: Harvey Freeman, Julian Fell, Conor Travers, John from Coventry.

Posted: **Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:55 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:55 pm Just the nameplates or their name as referred to on the show at all times?

It's both, I think. Times are a'changing.

Posted: **Thu Jul 09, 2026 1:30 am**

Lame.

Posted: **Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:08 am**

No surname on the Wiki I have checked, when I do the recaps unfortunately I have to move with times and slowly learn to adapt but it will take some getting used to

Posted: **Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:10 am**

This rule will make Family Fortunes impossible!

Posted: **Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:59 am**

Martin Hurst wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:10 am This rule will make Family Fortunes impossible!

And Ask The Family!

Posted: **Fri Jul 10, 2026 3:34 am**

Martin Hurst wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2026 9:10 am This rule will make Family Fortunes impossible!

"And tonight's families are Family A from somewhere, and Family B from somewhere else!"

Posted: **Fri Jul 10, 2026 9:05 am**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:55 pm Just the nameplates or their name as referred to on the show at all times?

Just listing the greatest players: Harvey Freeman, Julian Fell, Conor Travers, John from Coventry.

"Michael, 73 from Hampshire played Peta, 23 from Essex, with Peta, 23 from Essex winning 69 - 17."

Posted: **Fri Jul 10, 2026 10:07 am**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2026 9:05 am
Gevin Chapwell wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2026 1:55 pm Just the nameplates or their name as referred to on the show at all times?

Just listing the greatest players: Harvey Freeman, Julian Fell, Conor Travers, John from Coventry.
"Michael, 73 from Hampshire played Peta, 23 from Essex, with Peta, 23 from Essex winning 69 - 17."

Then Michael reaches the finals, has a birthday, and moves to the Lake District just to confuse everything!

Posted: **Sun Jul 12, 2026 12:05 pm**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2026 9:05 amPeta, 23 from Essex

Rhys you dirty old bollocks

Posted: **Mon Jul 13, 2026 9:24 am**

Mark Deeks wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2026 12:05 pm
Rhys Benjamin wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2026 9:05 amPeta, 23 from Essex

Rhys you dirty old bollocks

Glad to see someone got the joke!

Posted: **Mon Jul 13, 2026 12:55 pm**

They're worried about people setting new Stan-dards in viewership... loyalty etc.

Posted: **Tue Jul 14, 2026 11:45 am**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2026 9:24 am
Mark Deeks wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2026 12:05 pm
Rhys Benjamin wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2026 9:05 amPeta, 23 from Essex

Rhys you dirty old bollocks
Glad to see someone got the joke!

It made me think of Marc Almond, but I can't see why that would have been your reference.

Posted: **Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:40 am**

It's true and I have been reliably informed so disseminating this here. Surnames have now been dropped and will take effect on screen later this series.

Posted: **Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:40 pm**

What will happen if they have a Series 53 style final lineup? Series 53 had John Mayhew, John Brackstone and Jon O’Neill.

“Who was your favourite?”
“John.”
“Which John?”
“John.”
“Yes, but WHICH John?”
“The other John.”

Was it John?”
“No, Jon.”
“Which one?”
“Jon.”
“Right. The one without the H.”

Posted: **Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:46 pm**

Christy Cooper wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:40 pm What will happen if they have a Series 53 style final lineup? Series 53 had John Mayhew, John Brackstone and Jon O’Neill.

“Who was your favourite?”
“John.”
“Which John?”
“John.”
“Yes, but WHICH John?”
“The other John.”

Was it John?”
“No, Jon.”
“Which one?”
“Jon.”
“Right. The one without the H.”

Also I suppose you could do initials like John M, John B etc… sounds good in theory, but not if you have, e.g. John Bell and John Baker in the same series.

Plus aren’t Colin’s nicknames for octochamps often based on the surname? Off the top of my head, A5 for Arthur Page, Hurricane for Ronan, and the Incredible Mulk for Cillian. Is the nickname thing going to have to stop?

Posted: **Tue Aug 11, 2026 9:23 pm**

Yeah I suspect with shared surnames they’ll either use initial letter od surnames or use alternatives such as John VS Jonathan. Anyway Colin Murray’s Instagram photo chekcs it out and it’s been done. They will all use first names only.

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 8:29 am**

I wonder how Colin’s nicknames for the octochamps will work this time round then. Because they are so often surname based, as mentioned above.

I don’t think this decision makes much sense to be honest. As said, if two contestants have the same name, it makes sense using the first initial, but what if they have the same first initial? You’ll have to unveil a little bit more of their name then (as said above if you have a John Bell, a John Baker, and a John Brown all in one series- you can’t have them all as John B considering they could all make finals) and in that case you might as well use the full name. Or if you had John Mayhew, and John Martin. What happens then, John Mar and John May? Because at that point you’re just gradually reconstructing surnames anyway. Would they change it to John 1 and John 2?

Colin often addresses the contestants formally by their surname as well- when I was on, there were various instances of him referring to me as “Mr Cooper”.

I don’t think a surname exposes anybody’s deep dark secrets- it’s just their name. I like that it’s what sets Countdown apart from the rest. Most quiz shows use first names only- but most shows are self-contained whereas those with a tournament structure like Countdown, Mastermind, Only Connect, use the full names. And a non-tournament show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, being the most famous example. Self contained shows like The Chase or Tipping Point where you’re just there for one episode- it’s an easy solution- just don’t cast two people with the same name in one episode. With Countdown and its tournament where you don’t know how the seedings will turn out, you can’t really apply that logic for a full series, especially when those of the same name could end up playing against each other. “We’ve already got a Dave/John/Chris for this series, so we can’t cast anymore”.

As said, the top 3 way back in Series 53 all had the same forename, so if the answer to “How do we distinguish three contestants with the same name?” is “Well, we don't”, then perhaps just keep the surnames. How will Colin introduce the finalists or the draw for the next day? “Tomorrow John, you’re up against John, and then whoever wins that will play Jon”… (I use John as it’s been a common name for contestants over the years).

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 9:06 am**

Christy Cooper wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 8:29 am I wonder how Colin’s nicknames for the octochamps will work this time round then. Because they are so often surname based, as mentioned above.

I don’t think this decision makes much sense to be honest. As said, if two contestants have the same name, it makes sense using the first initial, but what if they have the same first initial? You’ll have to unveil a little bit more of their name then (as said above if you have a John Bell, a John Baker, and a John Brown all in one series- you can’t have them all as John B considering they could all make finals) and in that case you might as well use the full name. Or if you had John Mayhew, and John Martin. What happens then, John Mar and John May? Because at that point you’re just gradually reconstructing surnames anyway. Would they change it to John 1 and John 2?

Colin often addresses the contestants formally by their surname as well- when I was on, there were various instances of him referring to me as “Mr Cooper”.

I don’t think a surname exposes anybody’s deep dark secrets- it’s just their name. I like that it’s what sets Countdown apart from the rest. Most quiz shows use first names only- but most shows are self-contained whereas those with a tournament structure like Countdown, Mastermind, Only Connect, use the full names. And a non-tournament show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, being the most famous example. Self contained shows like The Chase or Tipping Point where you’re just there for one episode- it’s an easy solution- just don’t cast two people with the same name in one episode. With Countdown and its tournament where you don’t know how the seedings will turn out, you can’t really apply that logic for a full series, especially when those of the same name could end up playing against each other. “We’ve already got a Dave/John/Chris for this series, so we can’t cast anymore”.

As said, the top 3 way back in Series 53 all had the same forename, so if the answer to “How do we distinguish three contestants with the same name?” is “Well, we don't”, then perhaps just keep the surnames. How will Colin introduce the finalists or the draw for the next day? “Tomorrow John, you’re up against John, and then whoever wins that will play Jon”… (I use John as it’s been a common name for contestants over the years).

Think the recent welfare failings of Married At First Sight has led to upgraded safeguarding practices. Also first names only is something more and more such game shows have done over the last 20-odd years. With Google Gemini gathering contestants’ information and people easily stalked / tracked down on social media, I think this change is sensible. Yes, sad, but you have to move with the times.

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:32 am**

Philip A wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 9:06 am
Christy Cooper wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 8:29 am I wonder how Colin’s nicknames for the octochamps will work this time round then. Because they are so often surname based, as mentioned above.

I don’t think this decision makes much sense to be honest. As said, if two contestants have the same name, it makes sense using the first initial, but what if they have the same first initial? You’ll have to unveil a little bit more of their name then (as said above if you have a John Bell, a John Baker, and a John Brown all in one series- you can’t have them all as John B considering they could all make finals) and in that case you might as well use the full name. Or if you had John Mayhew, and John Martin. What happens then, John Mar and John May? Because at that point you’re just gradually reconstructing surnames anyway. Would they change it to John 1 and John 2?

Colin often addresses the contestants formally by their surname as well- when I was on, there were various instances of him referring to me as “Mr Cooper”.

I don’t think a surname exposes anybody’s deep dark secrets- it’s just their name. I like that it’s what sets Countdown apart from the rest. Most quiz shows use first names only- but most shows are self-contained whereas those with a tournament structure like Countdown, Mastermind, Only Connect, use the full names. And a non-tournament show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, being the most famous example. Self contained shows like The Chase or Tipping Point where you’re just there for one episode- it’s an easy solution- just don’t cast two people with the same name in one episode. With Countdown and its tournament where you don’t know how the seedings will turn out, you can’t really apply that logic for a full series, especially when those of the same name could end up playing against each other. “We’ve already got a Dave/John/Chris for this series, so we can’t cast anymore”.

As said, the top 3 way back in Series 53 all had the same forename, so if the answer to “How do we distinguish three contestants with the same name?” is “Well, we don't”, then perhaps just keep the surnames. How will Colin introduce the finalists or the draw for the next day? “Tomorrow John, you’re up against John, and then whoever wins that will play Jon”… (I use John as it’s been a common name for contestants over the years).
Think the recent welfare failings of Married At First Sight has led to upgraded safeguarding practices. Also first names only is something more and more such game shows have done over the last 20-odd years. With Google Gemini gathering contestants’ information and people easily stalked / tracked down on social media, I think this change is sensible. Yes, sad, but you have to move with the times.

The vast majority of gameshows don’t have carryover champions and seeding formats where multiple people with the same name can end up seeded alongside each other…

The welfare failings on Married At First Sight were *really* serious- the producers on that (exploitative) show were turning a blind eye to sexual assault and rape allegations.

It’s really not remotely comparable to somebody trying to solve some anagrams and number puzzles.

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:35 am**

Regardless of anything else, nicknames wouldn't be a problem. They base nicknames on many things so they don't need to use the surname.

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:48 am**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:35 am Regardless of anything else, nicknames wouldn't be a problem. They base nicknames on many things so they don't need to use the surname.

Agree. They do have nicknames on The Finish Line so no reason why it wouldn’t work for Countdown and it doesn’t have to be restricted to just Octochamps.

Posted: **Wed Aug 12, 2026 12:16 pm**

Christy Cooper wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:32 am
Philip A wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 9:06 am
Christy Cooper wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 8:29 am I wonder how Colin’s nicknames for the octochamps will work this time round then. Because they are so often surname based, as mentioned above.

I don’t think this decision makes much sense to be honest. As said, if two contestants have the same name, it makes sense using the first initial, but what if they have the same first initial? You’ll have to unveil a little bit more of their name then (as said above if you have a John Bell, a John Baker, and a John Brown all in one series- you can’t have them all as John B considering they could all make finals) and in that case you might as well use the full name. Or if you had John Mayhew, and John Martin. What happens then, John Mar and John May? Because at that point you’re just gradually reconstructing surnames anyway. Would they change it to John 1 and John 2?

Colin often addresses the contestants formally by their surname as well- when I was on, there were various instances of him referring to me as “Mr Cooper”.

I don’t think a surname exposes anybody’s deep dark secrets- it’s just their name. I like that it’s what sets Countdown apart from the rest. Most quiz shows use first names only- but most shows are self-contained whereas those with a tournament structure like Countdown, Mastermind, Only Connect, use the full names. And a non-tournament show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, being the most famous example. Self contained shows like The Chase or Tipping Point where you’re just there for one episode- it’s an easy solution- just don’t cast two people with the same name in one episode. With Countdown and its tournament where you don’t know how the seedings will turn out, you can’t really apply that logic for a full series, especially when those of the same name could end up playing against each other. “We’ve already got a Dave/John/Chris for this series, so we can’t cast anymore”.

As said, the top 3 way back in Series 53 all had the same forename, so if the answer to “How do we distinguish three contestants with the same name?” is “Well, we don't”, then perhaps just keep the surnames. How will Colin introduce the finalists or the draw for the next day? “Tomorrow John, you’re up against John, and then whoever wins that will play Jon”… (I use John as it’s been a common name for contestants over the years).
Think the recent welfare failings of Married At First Sight has led to upgraded safeguarding practices. Also first names only is something more and more such game shows have done over the last 20-odd years. With Google Gemini gathering contestants’ information and people easily stalked / tracked down on social media, I think this change is sensible. Yes, sad, but you have to move with the times.

The vast majority of gameshows don’t have carryover champions and seeding formats where multiple people with the same name can end up seeded alongside each other…

The welfare failings on Married At First Sight were *really* serious- the producers on that (exploitative) show were turning a blind eye to sexual assault and rape allegations.

It’s really not remotely comparable to somebody trying to solve some anagrams and number puzzles.

This is why I believe it's a sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut policy.

Posted: **Thu Aug 13, 2026 12:53 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2026 10:35 am Regardless of anything else, nicknames wouldn't be a problem. They base nicknames on many things so they don't need to use the surname.

There have been 5 Octochamps in Colin’s run that were given surname based nicknames.

1. The Incredible Mulk” (for Cillian McMulkin- clearly based on the surname)
2. “The Hurricane” (for Ronan Higginson… clearly based on Hurricane Higgins, so again based on the surname)
3. A5 (Arthur Page- clearly a play on words of half a page- so based on the surname)
4. “Golden Gate” (Tim Bridgstock… clearly a play on words of Golden Gate Bridge- based on surname- you don’t get Golden Gate from Tim alone)
5. “The Talented Mr Ridley” (Callum Ridley… again a play on words of the surname- parodying the Talented Mr Ripley).

Look at the sheer volume of shows Countdown produces per year- it’s always the case that they’ll get repeat names… and sure they can try and avoid putting people with similar names on the same episode, but you never quite know how many games somebody would win or whether people with the same name will play each other.

Series 53 had 3 Johns in the top 8, Series 57 two Jameses and two Davids, Series 70 had two Andys, Series 75 two Andrews, Series 85 had two Dans, Series 89 two Marks, Series 91 two Tims.

Yes, first initials sound like the go to scenario in cases like this, but as stated earlier, say you had a John Bell, John Brown, and John Baker all in the same series- what then? John Be? John Br? John Ba?

Posted: **Thu Aug 13, 2026 10:26 pm**

I would assume they would just talk to John Bell and John Brown and one of them would agree to change their onscreen name (e.g to "JB" if "John" cannot be changed otherwise)?

Have we ever had a common firstname/initial in a series finals (or a CoC) before, or has there ever been an episode with this clash?

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 8:49 am**

Martin Hurst wrote: Thu Aug 13, 2026 10:26 pm I would assume they would just talk to John Bell and John Brown and one of them would agree to change their onscreen name (e.g to "JB" if "John" cannot be changed otherwise)?

Have we ever had a common firstname/initial in a series finals (or a CoC) before, or has there ever been an episode with this clash?

Not as far as I can find, no.

Elsewhere there were once two contestants with the nameplates ‘Phil’ on The Krypton Factor and Gordon referred to them as Phil and Philip in the General Knowledge round for differentiation.

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 10:44 am**

Series 53 quite famously had John Brackstone, John Mayhew, and Jon O'Neill - even then Richard Whiteley was struggling to differentiate between all the Johns.

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 11:59 am**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 10:44 am Series 53 quite famously had John Brackstone, John Mayhew, and Jon O'Neill - even then Richard Whiteley was struggling to differentiate between all the Johns.

Would it have been more difficult/impossible for RW if they were commonly referred to as John B, John M and Jon O instead?

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 2:36 pm**

Series 18 champion Rajaretnam Yogasagarar famously came across four other Rajaretnam Ys in his run, which is why he was given the nickname "Yoga".

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 4:08 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 2:36 pm Series 18 champion Rajaretnam Yogasagarar famously came across four other Rajaretnam Ys in his run, which is why he was given the nickname "Yoga".

Which one of your multiple names will you use when you apply?

Posted: **Fri Aug 14, 2026 4:09 pm**

Martin Hurst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 4:08 pm
Gevin Chapwell wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2026 2:36 pm Series 18 champion Rajaretnam Yogasagarar famously came across four other Rajaretnam Ys in his run, which is why he was given the nickname "Yoga".
Which one of your multiple names will you use when you apply?

Good question. Maybe we'll find out one day.

Posted: **Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:35 pm**

Anyone else think the minimum age for applicants should be increased from 16 to 18?

Posted: **Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:59 pm**

Philip A wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:35 pm Anyone else think the minimum age for applicants should be increased from 16 to 18?

Why is that something for us to worry about?

Posted: **Sun Aug 16, 2026 6:32 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:59 pm
Philip A wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:35 pm Anyone else think the minimum age for applicants should be increased from 16 to 18?
Why is that something for us to worry about?

Just think it would be another sensible safeguarding protocol, that's all.

Posted: **Sun Aug 16, 2026 10:49 pm**

Philip A wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 6:32 pm
Gevin Chapwell wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:59 pm
Philip A wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:35 pm Anyone else think the minimum age for applicants should be increased from 16 to 18?
Why is that something for us to worry about?
Just think it would be another sensible safeguarding protocol, that's all.

I thought the likes of Allan Saldanha, Conor Travers etc. in the past were great. When Countdown decided that they had to stop under 16s playing for safeguarding reasons, it was shame, but down to all the complex safeguarding regulations as I understand it. But if this still allows 16+ to play, then it seems strange for a viewer to be calling for the limit to be higher.

Posted: **Mon Aug 17, 2026 8:47 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 10:49 pm
Philip A wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 6:32 pm
Gevin Chapwell wrote: Sun Aug 16, 2026 5:59 pm

Why is that something for us to worry about?
Just think it would be another sensible safeguarding protocol, that's all.
I thought the likes of Allan Saldanha, Conor Travers etc. in the past were great. When Countdown decided that they had to stop under 16s playing for safeguarding reasons, it was shame, but down to all the complex safeguarding regulations as I understand it. But if this still allows 16+ to play, then it seems strange for a viewer to be calling for the limit to be higher.

My understanding is that was to do with new regulations regarding "child actors" which limited the amount of time they could "work" in one day, for which Countdown would go overtime. But I could be wrong about that. As far as I recall it wasn't ITV, Channel 4, or Countdown who had any decision in that.

Posted: **Mon Aug 31, 2026 2:08 pm**

OK, that was a fun gimmick. Back to normal tomorrow?

Posted: **Mon Aug 31, 2026 2:48 pm**

Gevin Chapwell wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2026 2:08 pm OK, that was a fun gimmick. Back to normal tomorrow?

Yeah not surprised it's happened on a Bank Holiday Monday for a number of reasons. Sadly this change IS permanent. Think the Married At First Sight scandal has proven too much and has necessitated this change. Sad for the community but sensible. I think the Wiki will just have to disambiguate by Series appearaces (or perhaps game records, like on The Chase fan page 1 Question Shootout).

Posted: **Mon Aug 31, 2026 3:49 pm**

Starting with a Dave - one of the most generic names possible - only adds insult to injury.

Posted: **Mon Aug 31, 2026 10:13 pm**

They gave the surname of the person who submitted the OOW email today on the show. Hope he is ok.

Posted: **Tue Sep 01, 2026 7:18 am**

Martin Hurst wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2026 10:13 pm They gave the surname of the person who submitted the OOW email today on the show. Hope he is ok.

Hadn’t noticed that. I skip anecdotes when I catch up.

Posted: **Tue Sep 01, 2026 11:16 am**

Some of the propaganda about "everyone else does it" is just frankly not true. Mastermind, Only Connect, University Challenge all have the contestants' full names. A new series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK starts on Thursday, and even though the contestants have stage names they've got real names too (not normally used on camera, but they're hardly a secret).

Posted: **Mon Sep 07, 2026 1:18 pm**

Philip A wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2026 2:48 pm
Gevin Chapwell wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2026 2:08 pm OK, that was a fun gimmick. Back to normal tomorrow?
Yeah not surprised it's happened on a Bank Holiday Monday for a number of reasons. Sadly this change IS permanent. Think the Married At First Sight scandal has proven too much and has necessitated this change. Sad for the community but sensible. I think the Wiki will just have to disambiguate by Series appearaces (or perhaps game records, like on The Chase fan page 1 Question Shootout).

Married at First Sight scandal was to do with rape and sexual assault. And there was a very clear ethical issue with the show morally from the second it came out… these are strangers spending every waking second together, both with and without cameras. Sadly some dodgy folks slip through the cracks and abuse their power. Awful for the victims… and sadly I don’t think these instances would’ve been avoided just because the surnames were anonymous.

Countdown is a different kettle of fish. No sexual assaults were ever carried out on the Countdown set. It’s incomparable.

Yes, I’m well aware there has been a few contestants over the years who’ve committed heinous acts, but I highly doubt having their surnames on display on Countdown would’ve prevented that. In fact, to use Craig Chittenden as an example, wouldn’t him having had his full name on display have made it easier for police to trace him? Bullseye used to use full names too and that made it easier for police to trace down the murderer John Cooper (no relation). Countdown has been on for 44 years and makes roughly 250 new episodes a year- there’s been thousands of contestants over the years, so you will get the odd dodgy one that slips through the cracks, but they are thankfully in the minority.

Doing my research on the wiki you’ve had:
- Jim Bentley
- Richard Brittain
- Craig Chittenden
- Paul O’Neill
- Kelvin Haste
- Mark Harrison (whose episode never aired)
- Allen Horn (whose episode never aired)
- Presumably the contestant who lost Episode 7779 (which never aired)

8 (and really, it’s 7, I’m only guessing for the last one) contestants that we know of with a serious criminal record… thankfully it’s very rare, and I don’t think it’s right that we should refer to them by “Richard from Series 55” rather than the full names.

I understand that this measure has probably been taken to stop online abuse, which is commendable, but somebody who goes out of their way to post venom towards a Gameshow contestant isn’t going to stop just because they don’t know the surname. Colin often discusses the surnames “where does that come from” etc and as mentioned, he often uses them as a basis for his nicknames.

Posted: **Mon Sep 07, 2026 1:31 pm**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Tue Sep 01, 2026 11:16 am Some of the propaganda about "everyone else does it" is just frankly not true. Mastermind, Only Connect, University Challenge all have the contestants' full names. A new series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK starts on Thursday, and even though the contestants have stage names they've got real names too (not normally used on camera, but they're hardly a secret).

And Who Wants to Be a Millionaire too. Fifteen to One was another one that did it in both iterations. And Jeopardy too.

The pattern seems to be, if it’s a self contained show, it’s first names only, but if it’s a show with a tournament structure or where the champions carry over, they use surnames.

Posted: **Thu Sep 10, 2026 12:51 pm**

Had an email - thanks Countdown Team:

Hi Philip,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us and noticing the change.

We are using contestants' first names as this is standard practice for most game shows / quiz shows on TV and is in line with our duty of care to contributors.

We hope you continue to enjoy the show and thank you for being a keen-eyed and loyal viewer.

Very best wishes,
The Countdown Team

Posted: **Mon Sep 21, 2026 8:18 am**

Clearly that's a pre-scripted answer they'd had in anticipation of people emailing them en masse.

Posted: **Tue Sep 22, 2026 11:56 am**

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2026 8:18 am Clearly that's a pre-scripted answer they'd had in anticipation of people emailing them en masse.

I doubt this TBH. Sometimes they reply instantly, like when a contestant used 25 twice un-penalised and they sent the correspondents a Countdown mug as a gift on the day it aired.

Posted: **Mon Oct 19, 2026 1:59 pm**

Appears this has carried over into the podcast world. Richard Osman said on a recent Rest is Entertainment episode (can't remember which one) that they can't say the full names anymore for the questions and answers editions. He didn't sound overly happy about it

Posted: **Mon Oct 19, 2026 6:03 pm**

James Laverty wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2026 1:59 pm Appears this has carried over into the podcast world. Richard Osman said on a recent Rest is Entertainment episode (can't remember which one) that they can't say the full names anymore for the questions and answers editions. He didn't sound overly happy about it

Yep even on the live Big Brother podcast ‘The Group Chat’ they just use forenames for housemates (as actual show does anyway), except if they were on the Celebrity version!

This change on Countdown will affect the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy, I feel. If a surname is mentioned in studio except the guest it’s cut out in broadcast and re-filmed now.

Posted: **Mon Oct 19, 2026 9:23 pm**

I've obviously made my views on this whole situation clear a number of times, but I don't care how repetitive I am. I emailed Channel 4 last month with multiple concerns revolving around this; haven't heard anything, so clearly they couldn't give a toss.

The entire thing is pointless and beyond laughable. The fact you can't even go onto an afternoon TV game show with your surname on display is a clear reflection of how overly sensitive these production companies have become. Yes, there's the argument of "other game shows do the same", but I couldn't give a hoot about them — especially those that have used forenames since the beginning. What I find ironic is how these production companies are now suddenly jumping on the bandwagon of censoring their contributors' surnames at a time when there has never been more public figures on social media. What's worse is it's all stemmed from an incident associated with a programme that was scandalous from day one.

Where Countdown's concerned, it's funny how they claim it's in the interest of "duty of care". Surely, if that was the case, Channel 4 would have immediately enforced the editing of episodes (by superimposing the new nameplate format) as soon as the MAFS scandal was made public knowledge. It was May when the BBC published the article about their Panorama investigation into that; it wasn't until July when Countdown began recording without surnames on show. Why the two-month gap? I fail to understand why, say, the episode broadcast on 21st August (Cameron Lovatt v Lee Nixon) had Lee mention how he lost to Thomas Carey when first on in 2015. Okay, so it was perfectly fine for Maus' full name to be broadcast to the nation, but skip forward to the following week in broadcast terms and the same thing is prohibited. Also, Countdown's X page is STILL flooded with clips of past contestants with their full names in view. For real? Tell me you're not making sense without telling me you're not making sense.

They're clowns in thinking this is going to be of any benefit — not that stalking was ever a problem on Countdown in the first place. Besides, the majority of the contestants who have appeared since the surname cull have been discovered anyway.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2026 7:59 pm**

Countdown definitely feels more out of touch with The Countdown Community than it did before. The audience and the first/last name tradition gave it a community feel, and the later time slot of 4:30 (even the 3:10 slot worked well to a degree) made it easier to settle down and actually watch it, come home from school, wind down from work and put the telly on and give you brain a workout. All that's long gone. It's sad it's come to this but I guess a sign of the times.

I think The Countdown Team should be more creative with making it more accessible and viewer friendly for more people and for more contestants, more diversity and inclusion. Much more work needs to be done.

c4countdown

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