Countdown (game show)
Alongside the original cast from Calendar Countdown, the new format of the show led to production staff seeking out further hostesses through advertisements in national newspapers for young women to become a member of the programme's cast, with notable conditions about their involvement, in particular, those recruited for calculations found it made clear that as an applicant, their appearance would be less important than their skill as a mathematician.<ref>], on the advertisement to which Vorderman responded. Retrieved 6 July 2006.</ref> Amongst those recruited, Beverley Isherwood was hired to work alongside Hytner in handling the selection of number and letter tiles respectively, while Linda Barrett and Carol Vorderman were recruited for checking over calculations by contestants in the numbers round. In addition, a lexicographer was also required to form part of the format's "Dictionary Corner" segment of the show, in order to verify words given by contestants in the letters round (see Letters round rules), along with pointing out any longer or otherwise interesting words available, such a role was aided by the show's producers, with no assistance from any computer programme and the role accompanied by a celebrity guest for a set period on the programme, contributing words and providing entertainment through anecdotes, puzzles, poems and stories. Amongst these who have appeared on the programme are Nigel Rees, Jo Brand, Martin Jarvis, Richard Digance, Geoffrey Durham, Ken Bruce, Magnus Magnusson, Pam Ayres, Paul Zenon, Jenny Eclair, Al Murray, John Sergeant and Gyles Brandreth.