Latest news with #DonaldElsom
ITV News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Stanley veteran Donald Elsom becomes oldest ever Countdown contestant at 96
A 96-year-old former RAF corporal who left school when he was 14 has become the oldest contestant in Countdown history. Donald Elsom, of Stanley, County Durham, will appear on the Channel 4 gameshow on Monday afternoon (11 August) after being a dedicated viewer for decades. Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom has been described by the broadcaster as bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. Mr Elsom said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day, the photo will be framed and have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Despite leaving school at 14 and initially finding terms like 'decimals' and 'algebra' intimidating, Mr Elsom is said to haves had a quiet talent for working with figures. The Countdown contestant had a varied career in the Royal Air Force, as a police dog handler, butcher, and school site agent. He helped raise more than £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 when he completed 95 laps of a local school sports field. In April he received Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community service and dedication to his local church during a traditional Maundy Thursday service at Durham Cathedral attended by the royal. He was one of 152 recipients who were selected from dioceses in northern England and Scotland. The daytime words and numbers quiz, which began on Channel 4 in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray, sees two contestants compete in 15 rounds to become the daily Countdown champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, there has been more than 90 seasons. Mr Elsom's first episode will air on Channel 4 on August 11 at 2.10pm.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stanley 96-year-old becomes Countdown's oldest contestant
A 96-year-old former RAF corporal who left school when he was 14 has become the oldest contestant in Countdown Elsom, from Stanley in County Durham, appeared on the Channel 4 gameshow after being a dedicated viewer for from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom has been described by the broadcaster as bringing warmth, wit and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp mind and a love of Elsom said: "It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life." The daytime words and numbers quiz, which began on Channel 4 in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray, sees two contestants compete in 15 rounds to become the daily Countdown leaving school at a young age and initially finding terms like "decimals" and "algebra" intimidating, Mr Elsom is said to have quite a talent for working with nonagenarian nine-letter word seeker had a varied career in the RAF and has worked as a police dog handler, butcher and school site agent. In April, he received Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community service and dedication to his local Church of England helped raise more than £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 when he completed 95 laps of a local school sports Elsom said of his latest experience: "I enjoyed everything about the day."The photo will be framed and have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles."His Countdown debut will air on Channel 4 on Monday at 14:10 BST. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Ex-RAF corporal becomes oldest-ever contestant on Countdown
After being a viewer of the show for more than a decade, Donald Elsom from Stanley in County Durham will appear on the Channel 4 gameshow this Monday afternoon. Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, he has been described by Channel 4 as bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the long-running programme, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. 96-year-old former RAF corporal becomes oldest-ever Countdown contestant Talking about his time on Countdown, the 96-year-old said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day, the photo will be framed and will have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Despite leaving school at the age of 14 and finding terms like 'decimals' and 'algebra' intimidating, he is said to have a quiet talent for working with figures nowadays. Over his long life, he has had a varied career in the Royal Air Force, as a police dog handler, butcher, and school site agent. He has also done a lot of work for charity, raising more than £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 when he completed 95 laps of a local school sports field. In April, he received Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community work and dedication to his local church. He was one of 152 recipients who were selected from dioceses in Northern England and Scotland. Recommended Reading: When did Countdown start and what happens in the show? The gameshow started on Channel 4 all the way back in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray. It sees two contestants compete in 15 rounds to become the daily Countdown champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, there have been more than 90 seasons. Fans will be able to watch Mr Elsom's first episode on Monday, August 11 at 2:10pm.
North Wales Chronicle
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Ex-RAF corporal becomes oldest-ever contestant on Countdown
After being a viewer of the show for more than a decade, Donald Elsom from Stanley in County Durham will appear on the Channel 4 gameshow this Monday afternoon. Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, he has been described by Channel 4 as bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the long-running programme, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. Talking about his time on Countdown, the 96-year-old said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day, the photo will be framed and will have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Despite leaving school at the age of 14 and finding terms like 'decimals' and 'algebra' intimidating, he is said to have a quiet talent for working with figures nowadays. Over his long life, he has had a varied career in the Royal Air Force, as a police dog handler, butcher, and school site agent. He has also done a lot of work for charity, raising more than £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 when he completed 95 laps of a local school sports field. In April, he received Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community work and dedication to his local church. He was one of 152 recipients who were selected from dioceses in Northern England and Scotland. The gameshow started on Channel 4 all the way back in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray. It sees two contestants compete in 15 rounds to become the daily Countdown champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, there have been more than 90 seasons. Fans will be able to watch Mr Elsom's first episode on Monday, August 11 at 2:10pm.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former RAF corporal becomes oldest-ever contestant on Countdown
A former RAF corporal who left school at the age of 14 has become the oldest-ever contestant to appear on Countdown. After being a viewer of the show for more than a decade, Donald Elsom from Stanley in County Durham will appear on the Channel 4 gameshow this Monday afternoon. Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, he has been described by Channel 4 as bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the long-running programme, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. 96-year-old former RAF corporal becomes oldest-ever Countdown contestant Talking about his time on Countdown, the 96-year-old said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day, the photo will be framed and will have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Despite leaving school at the age of 14 and finding terms like 'decimals' and 'algebra' intimidating, he is said to have a quiet talent for working with figures nowadays. Over his long life, he has had a varied career in the Royal Air Force, as a police dog handler, butcher, and school site agent. He has also done a lot of work for charity, raising more than £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 when he completed 95 laps of a local school sports field. In April, he received Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community work and dedication to his local church. He was one of 152 recipients who were selected from dioceses in Northern England and Scotland. Recommended Reading: The Traitors star to host new BBC radio show and says it's 'a dream' Major Emmerdale exit 'confirmed' as star to be killed off in 'harrowing' scene Adrian Dunbar issues fresh Line of Duty series 7 update on This Morning When did Countdown start and what happens in the show? The gameshow started on Channel 4 all the way back in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray. It sees two contestants compete in 15 rounds to become the daily Countdown champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, there have been more than 90 seasons. Fans will be able to watch Mr Elsom's first episode on Monday, August 11 at 2:10pm.
