She has! New ITV show to promote and a book coming out shortly, apparently.

She was on the One Show last night as well!

Can't believe Susie slipped up yesterday with the letters
S R L G A I U T E

I got a nine-letter word within about five seconds.


And if I wrote down the letters correctly there was an eight-letter word in round 8.

If anyone wants to show off their Countdown skills, there are 10 forthcoming unofficial Countdown tournaments across the UK and Ireland in 2016, run by fans of the show such as yourselves. The next one is in Leeds, the old home of Countdown, on Saturday 30th April. (The other events are to be held in King's Lynn, St Albans, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Dublin, Huddersfield, Glasgow and Birmingham.)

It's not just geeky octochamps who turn up - attendees have a range of skill levels, demographics and backgrounds.

For more details, either general or specific, as well as pictures, contact details and results, head to our website at http://www.focalcountdown.co.uk.

Everyone's welcome - you, friends, family! It would be great to see some of you come along

I disagree with Suzie's explanation of the Elephant and Castle. I always understood that it derives from the "Infante de Castille." a Spanish Princeling.

This site quotes both as alternate origins.

http://www.elephantfacts.co.uk/elephant.htm

I got that really quickly as well. She wouldn't be human if she never missed any and this shows she doesn't cheat. Every so often we will all get a larger word than she does.

I was just getting to like that contestant....

Today's now defeated champ? He was quite a personable chap wasn't he.

I'm not actually liking the new champion already for a potentially slightly bizarre reason. He (probably unintentionally) makes a very loud smacking his lips sound whenever he speaks, particularly when choosing letters and I found it extremely irritating. I watch on cordless headphones and what they pick up compared to listening conventionally is quite extraordinary at times. I wonder if anyone else noticed this?

Not before you mentioned it!!

I knew someone would say that. Your probably going to notice it all the time now.

Does anybody know the rule if any regarding repeat appearances on Countdown? I know they quite regularly have contestants who have been on before and they even mention it, but do you have to be invited to reapply? The application form seems to suggest it's only by special consent...

I'd love to have another go although it's "only" six years since I was on before; maybe they want longer gaps. Grateful for any info people can give me.

Hi, can't answer your question but do you know if Rachel resets the letters board and clears the numbers board or is it someone else?

Wish Nick Hewer would talk properly, it forty and thirty not four-dee and thur-dee.

The 'rule' used to be that you had to wait 10 years to reapply, but generally speaking you can get on within 5 now, no 'invite' necessary. (At least one has managed it in less, but it's a long and unedifying story.) Definitely go for it! In fact, the majority of recent series winners have been those that reapplied.

If you want to practise before reapplying, http://apterous.org is the best possible resource. Every champion for the last 15 series has practised and improved on there. It can be a little over-competitive at times, but generally speaking it's a warm community that welcomes others and has people from all different skill levels.

Happy to help out if there's any other info you want! Good luck if you do decide to reapply.

She removes the letters from the board and hands them over to crew members waiting in the wings; I think numbers are done by the crew members.

I thought all the clearing up was done by studio crew. Rachel is paid too much for that!

(And there are plenty of crew; I think I counted twenty, not including the people 'upstairs'.)

Rachel showing some mid-riff.

Does anyone think that the current champ looks like David Blaine?

Many thanks indeed for the info

horsies most of next week, Tuesday on........I suppose it makes a change watching quadrupeds running up some track.........

Conrad - YES!

Always enjoy the show but getting increasingly distracted by Rachel's awful outfits!

Today's green creation was really odd .. it looked like the bottom half was made of really stiff fabric and wouldn't hang properly. She put me in mind of one of those things some people used to have in their bathrooms to cover up the spare toilet roll!

Sorry Rachel, time to sack your wardrobe mistress and start choosing your own clothes!

Her outfits can be very inconsistent, I know she has a large clothing allowance but not if she buys them all herself.

Has anyone else noticed that Nick seems to big up the ones who have won a couple of games? I find it toe curling when he bigs up the current champ, it must make the competitor really uncomfortable. For instance, Conrad who gained oxtochamp yesterday: Nick was constantly saying 'come on Conrad show us what you can do!' I felt so sorry for the other guy sat there!

^Yes I agree Jejade05! It seems to have got worse lately aswell.

Today, as well as the usual Rachel and Susie loveliness, today there is contestant Heather, a cute student.