I was on Countdown and was shocked to receive EXPLICIT fan mail and a terrifying threat

A FORMER contestant on Countdown has claimed that a man threatened to stamp on her head following her appearance on the show.

It's the ultimate clash of mathematical skill and literary knowledge that tests contestants to the very edge of their limits.

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But despite Countdown celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it still has a number of behind-the-scenes secrets unknown to most viewers decades on.

For those keen to find out, Jen Steadman - the highest-scoring woman of all time - has lifted the lid on what it's like to be on the show.

Following her lost list of accomplishments on the series saw a flurry of wild fan mail - but not all of it was positive.

"There was hilariously explicit fan mail from middle-aged men, and women saying that I’d inspired them to apply for the show," she told .

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"But also a man threatening to stamp on my head because I was bobbing it in time to the music, and a woman criticising the bow I wore in my hair. 

"I definitely learned that you can’t please everyone and that some people have no taste in headwear."

Earlier this year, The Sun spoke to former contestant Gary Woodward, who has appeared on Countdown nine times.

Detailing his time on the Channel 4 hit he revealed how the show often fakes scenes to disguise X-rated answers, presenter faux pas and technical errors.

"When they don’t like a bit of recording they do it again to overlay that section during the edit," he revealed.

"This can be because the audio quality wasn’t perfect, if a presenter sneezed or made a mistake or cameras missed a cut.

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"It’s easy to spot when they do this on Countdown.

"If the cameras cut back to the contestant while they are choosing a vowel or consonant, it’s normally because they have used a cover shot."

Countdown airs weekdays from 2.15pm on Channel 4. 

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