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RAF veteran to become oldest Countdown contestant at 96
A 96-year-old RAF veteran recognised by the King for his charitable work will become the oldest contestant in Countdown history.
Donald Elsom, who left school at 14, has been a dedicated viewer of the Channel 4 show for decades. An episode featuring the nonagenarian will air on Aug 11 at 2.10pm.
Mr Elsom, a former RAF corporal from Stanley, County Durham, 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.'
Channel 4 said Mr Elsom had brought warmth, wit and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers.
Originally from Willingham, Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom served in Singapore and what was then Malaya between 1950 and 1955.
During a varied career after leaving the Royal Air Force, he worked as a police dog handler, a butcher, and a school site agent.
Last year, he marked his 95th birthday by walking 95 laps around his local primary school over several months.
Mr Elsom said he had taken inspiration from Cpt Sir Thomas Moore, who raised tens of millions of pounds for charity by walking 100 laps of his garden during the Covid-19 pandemic in the run-up to his 100th birthday.
Mr Elsom raised over £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which had aided him after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012. When he completed the challenge, he was cheered by children who then sang Happy Birthday to him.
'Very determined man'
Jade Sorroll, Mr Elsom's 35-year-old granddaughter, told the BBC he was 'a very determined man'.
Earlier this year, King Charles awarded him Maundy money to express gratitude for his charitable work.
Countdown, which began on Channel 4 in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray, involves two contestants competing over 15 rounds to become the daily champion.
Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, it is one of the longest-running game shows in the world.
Previous elderly contestants have included Bertha Bourne, 87, who was a champion in 1994, and 89-year-old Geoffrey Green, who appeared in 2007.
