I was a Countdown champion

It turned into one of the most surreal times of my life, lasting over 17 years

Oh, to look like this again now.

Before I start this story, I should say that a Countdown champion is just a contestant on the Channel 4 show who wins at least one game of Countdown. It shouldn't be confused with a Countdown series champion, or, god forbid, the ultimate Countdown winner's title of Champion of Champions.

I used to love Countdown when I was…