Countdown UK" redirects here. For the music programme, see CD:UK. Countdown

Genre Game show Created by Armand Jammot Marcel Stellman Based on Des chiffres et des lettres by Armand Jammot Presented by Richard Whiteley Des Lynam Des O'Connor Jeff Stelling Nick Hewer Anne Robinson Colin Murray Starring Carol Vorderman Susie Dent Rachel Riley Theme music composer Alan Hawkshaw Country of origin United Kingdom Original language English No. of series 89 (Regular) 2 (Masters) 2 (Celebrity) No. of episodes 8,200 (Regular; as of 2 February 2024) 104 (Masters; as of 29 March 1991) 14 (Celebrity; as of 9 January 2020) 45 (Specials; as of 23 December 2020) Production Production locations The Leeds Studios, Leeds (1982–2009) Granada Studios, Manchester (2009–2012) Dock10 studios (2013–present) Camera setup Multi-camera Running time 25 mins (excluding adverts, 1982–2001) 50 mins (excluding adverts, 2001–present) Production companies Yorkshire Television (1982–2004) Granada Yorkshire (2004–2009) ITV Studios Entertainment (2009–2021) Lifted Entertainment (2021–present) Original release Network Channel 4 S4C (1982–2010) (Wales only) Release 2 November 1982 – present Related 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Celebrity Countdown Countdown is a British game show involving word and mathematical tasks that began airing in November 1982. It is broadcast on Channel 4 and is currently presented by Colin Murray, assisted by Rachel Riley with lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4 and 89 series have been broadcast since its debut on 2 November 1982. With over 8,000 episodes, Countdown is one of Britain's longest-running game shows; the original French version, Des chiffres et des lettres (Numbers & Letters), has been running on French television continuously since 1965. Countdown was produced by Yorkshire Television and was recorded at The Leeds Studios for 27 years, before moving to the Manchester-based Granada Studios in 2009. Following the development of MediaCityUK, Countdown moved again in 20