splash index links beginner's guide playing tips famous countdowners jargon how to apply records firsts faq's challenge prizes merchandise a day in the life archive contact forums

Don Won - Cut

from: Countdown The magazine of the TV game show. issue 6 February 1995

Written by John Meade

Don Reid recently joined COUNTDOWN's hall of fame by becoming our seventh Champion of Champions. In addition, he's made 14 appearances and never been beaten. Now he reflects on his achievement. 

"I don't know where I go from here, but whatever happens nothing can take away the satisfaction of success beyond my wildest dreams. I watched Countdown for several years trying to convince myself that i could put up a respectable performance even under the glare of the TV camera. Eventually, with some persuasion from my wife Judith, I sent in my application and set in motion the snowball that still hasn't stopped rolling! I've enjoyed it all immensely except, perhaps, those times when my nerves overwhelmed me. "Mr Cool" and "The Iceman", so the act I put on to hide the quivering jelly inside me obviously worked! 

Looking back on the series that I won, it all seemed to happen so gradually, apart from a few crucial minutes towards the end of my semi-final against Noel Turner. In the last letters game I took a risk with the word NORTHERS to maintain a slender lead and in the numbers game that followed I panicked and lost the lead, only to redeem myself by beating Noel by a split second to the conundrum TEDIOUSLY (far from it!). This set me up for a close fought final against James Sinclair, and the valuable reward of the 20-volume OED which I treasure and even use occasionally! 

And so to the Champion of Champions. I had the benefit of having been in the first four series represented and was able to size up would be rivals as they appeared on TV. My armchair performances against those who eventually qualified gave me little confidence for the challenge ahead. I received the summons to Leeds and got down to some serious practice. I was in a state of ill-prepared high anxiety the day before we were due to travel up when mark Nyman 'phoned up ­ match postponed! The bubble burst, and it was to be four more weeks before we actually arrived at YTV, by which time I was slightly better prepared but equally anxious. In some ways it was a relief just to get to the studios and recieve the warm welcome from everyone involved with the programme. It was also a relief to meet fellow contestants as real people rather than the super humans that had sometimes seemed to be on TV. 

All too soon it was time for battle to commence. An interesting departure from previous practice was the random draw to decide who played whom. I had calculated that a seeded draw would have pitted me against Andy Bodle, so I was quite happy to take pot luck instead. It was with mixed feelings, however, that I saw myself drawn against young Andrew Perry. It proved to be a tense contest which I was surprised and thankful to clinch on the final numbers game. The relief of victory was short lived, being quickly succeeded by concern about the semi-final to come. Another random draw, and the unenviable prospect of a contest with Richard Campbell. This time I was amazed that I was able to keep pulling away from him not here, but there was never any danger of over confidence ­ even when 38 points ahead going into the last letters game. I knew it was still possible for him to draw level and take it in extra time. Not till I saw the letters and realized that a nine-letter word could not come out of the selection did I permit myself to relax. 

Having reached the final, I felt that I had achieved my main aim and was able to enjoy the rest of the evening in the company of the other contestants. It was then that I acquired another nickname, "Dusty Carpet" ­ never been beaten! This was courtesy of Damian Eadie who was to be my opponent in the next day's final, and this time it was a nickname I would be glad to retain! 

The following afternoon Damian and I settled into our respective "lucky" seats on stage. A close final, in which we shared the honours in 11 out of 14 rounds, was decided in my favour by the conundrums, once more surprising me as this was a part of the game at which Damian had excelled in the past. 

So I continue to live in a state of disbelief. My TV appearances have created a lot of interest, and I am most grateful for all the support I have had from Judith, family, friends and even complete strangers who have recognized me! Andy Warhol once said, "One day everyone will be famous for 15 minutes". I am privileged that COUNTDOWN has allowed me to claim a more than generous seven and a half hours!" 

The entire article is © Vision Publishing Ltd. 1995 (picture © Yorkshire Television Ltd.). Permission has been sought and is awaiting confirmation.

Click HERE to return to the Countdown greats main page.

Neb 2003