I don't remember that from when I was on (although I believe you). I know you're discouraged from saying "please" except for your first and last letter, as apparently any more usage annoys viewers!

only one Countdown again next week.......the trots again.

oh, the edited out Dr Hammond's guest section. I wonder if he said anything about shooting politicians, or something.

He mentions it on twitter, he thinks it was edited out because he supports the junior doctors.

oh, a bit of politics......too much for afternoon TV....!

https://twitter.com/drphilhammond/st...592?lang=en-gb

I don't know what's happened to Dr Phil. I used to look forward to his spots - he always told the funny side of the medical profession, and he used to be hilarious. That all seems to be gone now - he's all preachy and much too serious.

he's on a mission to save the world....

Susie showing rather a lovely amount of cleavage yesterday (not that she has much, but the effort was much appreciated)

She also showed a hot water bottle under her desk.

Surprised they never got Tribunal for 8 today on the first letters game.

i'm surprised they don't use a computer to see what was really there. Then they could beat their TABOURIN, that might clear their TURBINAL of ABUTILON like an ABLUTION of a single letter UNILOBAR.

couldn't make out a word of John Culshaw's lyrics today !!

I was in the audience for the finals. Not quite shooting politicians but he went on a bit of a rant at one point.

According to The Mirror both Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley will reunite for Sky Sport's new Friday Night Football. Wonder if this will affect Rachel Riley's Countdown commitments.

it won't, Countdown episodes are filmed in blocks. where they do 5 a day for a few weeks. Jeff Stelling's Sky commitments never seemed to get in the way of Countdown when he was presenting it. And back then he was presenting the Champions League in addition to Soccer Saturday. So in all likelihood it won't affect Countdown.

I've been sent a list of recording dates. They film 15 episodes over 3 days Monday to Wednesday, then that's it until three weeks later usually. There's plenty of time off to do other things! And nothing on Fridays.

Grueling work though over those three days. And Nick having to think up 15 monologues which most people end up fast-forwarding through.

Add to that Susie having to do 15 origins of words. It is hard work but im sure that they just want to get it over with quickly.

I wonder what Rachel's contribution will be? I know she's a celebrity Man Utd fan, but that hardly qualifies her as being an expert on football.

The trots Tuesday and the rest of the week, again.

Just thought id breathe some life into this thread.What an amazing lady the current champion Annie is.Id like to think id be as brave in that situation but i doubt it.Hope she goes all the way

I missed her being introduced so don't know what the situation is (I presume it was mentioned) but I find her voice annoying & her pushing that thing in her throat makes me cringe, sorry - I know it's not a nice thing to say but I'm just being honest, I'd have preferred it if she'd not lasted as long as what she has.

Dr. No Vocal Chords.

I do tend to agree with you there Jenny. I find her rather uncomfortable to listen too also. But....


...I do very much agree with that. Bravo indeed to Annie. I think its very commendable that she's no doubt confident (and brave enough) within herself to actually go on the show considering her unfortunate situation. I'm not sure what her predicament is as if it was explained I must have missed that. But, as I say, I'm not sure it was discussed, which doesn't surprise me. There was a not totally dis-similar situation a while back with a contestant who was obviously a transvestite, or transgender, I'm not sure. And again from memory that was never 'discussed' as such within the context of the show. Not that it unequivocally should have been by any means, but as now on that occasion also I was genuinely interested in what was the back story of it all.

Back to Annie - I tend to watch most programmes these days via cordless headphones and don't often look at the screen at the same time. For example, during the introduction bits on Countdown. No need. Hence, on Annie's first appearance I wasn't in the living room or could see the screen when she first spoke. As a consequence at the time I thought "what the bl*%y hell has gone wrong with the sound on my TV(!!!) I think it's bust! Kaput!". Of course, I soon realised what the situation was though.

Anyway as awkward as listening to her has at times been, kudos to Annie for participating on the show and indeed for doing so well so far!

And I'm sooo glad Gyles Brandreth is gone, for now at least. What a smug and irritating g*t he is.

I met Gyles Brandreth once and I have to say he was absolutely delightful. He was charm personified. Ever since, I've always defended him. He may have seemed smug and irritating, and he's a Tory, but in person he was a thoroughly nice chap.