I was on Countdown – there are strict rules to stop us confusing Rachel Riley and a word that always sparks complaints
A FORMER Countdown contestant has opened up about the strict rules used on the show to stop them confusing host Rachel Riley
The game show guest took to Reddit to tell all about his time on the programme - including the one word that always gets complaints.
The TV contestant - who went by the name of Matt Styles on the social media site - said the contestants had to follow strict rules.
"The instructions were amusing. I don't think I've got a copy of them still, but it included many things," he explained of the rulebook.
"It included things like, 'Please do not try and confuse Rachel by saying 'two from the top and four from the penultimate ends of the second to bottom row.'
"When asking for the letters, they ask you to say please sometimes but not all the time."
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The contestant went on to say that they sometimes "get complaints" if the stars on the show don't say their pleases and thank-you's.
"Apparently they get complaints if people don't say please at all because it's rude, and they get complaints if people say please after every request because they think it's wasting time," they said.
He concluded by revealed a rarely-known show secret, explaining that the audience was made up of Countdown fanatics.
"My favourite thing was the audience members. Anyone can rock up at the studios to watch the show, first come, first served.
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"There was an elderly couple in the front row who attend regularly. They brought their own sandwiches and flask of tea."
It comes after a former The Chase contestant who won a HUGE sum - opened up about his "bizarre experience" on the show.
The ITV game show guest took to Reddit to tell all about his time on the programme - facing famous Chaser Mark 'The Beast' Labbett.
The TV contestant - who went by the name of Jo on the social platform - revealed how Mark, 56, lost his temper after his team won.
"I won £12,700 on The Chase," he wrote. "It was a bizarre experience. You spend hours with your 'teammates' - complete strangers.
"My team had someone with a dominant personality who kept insisting we should all 'play it safe' and not go for the higher prize.
"Because this pissed me off I went for the higher prize money and brought 32000 back to the team.
"The others played it safe and all four of us survived to the final chase splitting 47000 between all of us."
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While the contestant said that host Bradley Walsh is "very nice", he admitted the same could not be said for the Chaser.
"Our Chaser was Mark - he was super pissed off when he lost and stormed off set as soon as the quiz finished," the contestant said.