Record breaking TV run for graduate

Alumna Jen, who graduated in English from the Penryn campus this summer, won eight games in a row on the programme which tests linguistic dexterity and mathematical prowess. Eight is the maximum any contestant can win and she now goes forward to the championship finals later in the series.

During her run Jen set a number of records:

The first female contestant to score 100+ in every game (her total score over 8 games was 952) The highest score for a female contestant in a single game – 130 points 3rd highest scorer ever in Countdown’s 31-year history

Host of the Channel 4 programme, Nick Hewer, said during the show: “Later in the year we shall see you back and I think we’ve got high hopes for you. Brilliant stuff.”

“"I wanted to do well, but could never have hoped to break records or score so highly, so was delighted and quite emotional when I did,” said Jen. “It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to be back in the studios - although I know I’ll have to be at the very top of my game to win!"