I breastfed my eldest son David to Countdown and thought I 
had reared a child genius when he could recite many upper case letters of the alphabet before the age of two, before he could even speak properly.
However, he never did master the conundrum or numbers game with such ease. And while he still has an amazing photographic memory, his intellectual abilities have levelled out over the years.
Having enjoyed Countdown so much, I was saddened to learn that Carol Vorderman has quit the show, but I can’t say I blame her if it is true that she was offered a 90% pay cut to stay on. However bewitching Carol is, the quiz programme never retained its appeal following the untimely death of its original quiz master Richard Whiteley – theirs truly was a perfect TV "marriage". So it’s probably best for her to quit now, and look for pastures new.
*I have just collected my youngest son James from Ely Golf Club where he is practising hard to reduce his handicap so he can play in a junior tournament next month.
"Did you bump into Gary?" I asked him, because the word going round is that Gary Lineker has moved to Ely and lives near the golf course with his lingerie model girlfriend Danielle. James saw him at the BMW golf championship at Wentworth a few weeks ago when Linkeker was reporting on it.
I wonder how long will it be before James bumps into him on the golf course and they exchange tips….
From your headline, I thought Gary Lineker was the new numbers master for ‘Countdown’!
With both Richard and Carol now gone, it would be sensible to peacefully retire the show into tv history.
I think I agree with jean-Luc-Picard!
Yes it certainly wont be the same. I too breastfed C to Countdown! 🙂
Very soon I’d imagine.
I know there’s a credit crunch but asking someone to take a 90% pay cut is a bit much!
Casdok, I even rang Channel 4 about it at the time because it was so amazing. I was then advised by a teacher to teach David the lower case letters of the alphabet and the different pronunciations so he had a good understanding of them for when he started school. Channel 4 didn’t call me back.
“That’s a great post. Here’s a website on developing
photographic memory. Check out the tips that they offer. They worked pretty well for me. It’s at http://www.photographic-memory.org“
I used to buy stuff from the Linekers’ market vegetable stall when I lived in Leicester. I don’t suppose they need to work at that these days!
Gary has a girlfriend?! I thought he was happily married. I am disappointed.
Liz,
You are behind the times. Gary and his wife Michelle split up ages ago.
He has still not been spotted at James’ golf course.
Time to put the show out to pasture methinks.
I think Terry Wogan should present it – it was made for him…
Mutley, what a great idea, Wogan and Whitely have a similar relaxed, winning manner about them. And EVERYONE loves Wogan. But he needs Carol by his sides too.
I never watched Countdown! Hope your son gets to exchange the golf tips with Gary soon.
Ah, I see that ill-tempered American television producer’s behavior has showed up in the U.K. Sad. Carol is quite a beautiful lady.
Let us know the instant the encounter happens, Ellee.
Well of course Gary is attracted to her intelligence and innate talents. Her perfect body, beautiful face, tight little tush and pert breasts are incidental, I’m sure.
A couple of us from Leicester were discussing this the other night and can think of no earthly reason why our very own Gary would be attracted to the Fens. I hope he goes home soon where he belongs. I’m sure he will when he realises how long it will be before anyone acknowledges that he actually lives here ( if indeed he does). I reckon somewhere between 2 and 12 years depending on how outgoing you are.