A 96-year-old former Royal Air Force (RAF) corporal, who concluded his formal education at the age of 14, has made history as the oldest contestant to ever appear on the Channel 4 program, Countdown.
Donald Elsom, hailing from Stanley in County Durham, participated in the long-running gameshow after being a dedicated viewer for many years.
Originally from Willingham in Cambridgeshire, Mr. Elsom has been lauded by the broadcaster for bringing warmth, wit, and wisdom to the program, coupled with a sharp intellect and a fondness for numbers.
“It was a lovely experience,” Mr. Elsom stated, “one that I will fondly remember for the rest of my life.”
The daytime quiz show, which tests contestants’ skills in words and numbers, premiered on Channel 4 in 1982. Currently hosted by Colin Murray, the program features two contestants competing across 15 rounds to be crowned the daily Countdown champion.
Despite leaving school at a young age and initially feeling intimidated by concepts such as “decimals” and “algebra,” Mr. Elsom is reported to possess a considerable talent for working with figures.
The nonagenarian, also adept at finding nine-letter words, has had a varied career, including service in the RAF, working as a police dog handler, a butcher, and a school site agent.
In April, Mr. Elsom was honored with Maundy Money from the King in recognition of his community service and commitment to his local Church of England congregation.
In 2023, he raised over £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by completing 95 laps of a local school sports field.
Reflecting on his Countdown experience, Mr. Elsom said, “I enjoyed everything about the day.”
“The photo from the show will be framed and displayed next to the photo of me with King Charles.”
His Countdown debut is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on Monday at 14:10 BST.
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