Finals bid for TV record breaking graduate

Alumna Jen, who graduated in English from the Penryn campus this summer, won eight games in a row when she appeared on the programme in September. Countdown tests linguistic dexterity and mathematical prowess. Eight consecutive games is the maximum any contestant can win and she was automatically put forward to the championship quarter finals. It is scheduled to be broadcast on Friday 13 December.

During her previous 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

At the time, the host of the Channel 4 programme, Nick Hewer, said: “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!"