A *Countdown* champion has been charged with stabbing a fellow contestant during an event in Blackpool. John Cowen, 30, was arrested on September 14 at the *Countdown in Blackpool 2024* event, an annual tournament where former winners of the popular Channel 4 gameshow compete against each other.
During the competition, Cowen allegedly attacked his opponent with a knife, leading to charges of section 18 wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article. The victim, a man in his twenties, was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.
Cowen, a maths whiz from Morecambe, Lancashire, first appeared on *Countdown* in 2017, impressing with his ability to spot nine-letter words and achieving the third-highest score of the series. He went on to win eight consecutive matches before being defeated.
The incident took place at the Wainwright Club in Blackpool, and Cowen has been placed in custody. He is scheduled to appear at Preston Crown Court.
*Countdown* is one of Britain’s longest-running game shows, having aired more than 8,000 episodes since it first premiered in 1982. The show remains a beloved staple of British television.
Source:
The Metro
