Countdown (game show) Stelling was confirmed as the new host, with Oxford graduate Rachel Riley in the Vorderman role. It was announced on 24 May 2011 that Stelling would be leaving the programme, and he presented his final show on 16 December 2011. On 16 November 2011, it was announced that Nick Hewer would be taking over as host, with his first show broadcast on 9 January 2012. "Countdown" quickly established cult status within British television – an image which it maintains today, despite numerous changes of rules and personnel. The programme's audience comprises mainly students, homemakers and pensioners, owing to the "teatime"
Countdown (game show) the times when they occur during the programme, therefore reducing Countdown's actual show length from 36 to 35 minutes. Since "Countdown"<nowiki>'</nowiki>s debut in 1982, there have been over 6,500 televised games and 76 complete series. There have also been fourteen "Champion of Champions" tournaments, with the most recent starting in January 2016. Several of "Countdown"<nowiki>'</nowiki>s most successful contestants have received national media coverage. Teenager Julian Fell set a record score of 146 in December 2002. In 2006, 14-year-old Conor Travers became the youngest series champion in the show's history, and 11-year-old Kai Laddiman became the youngest octochamp for 20 years.