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Lewd word causes Countdown blushes | Lewd word causes Countdown blushes |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A contestant on Countdown has scored six points with a lewd word, which Channel 4 had to bleep out. | A contestant on Countdown has scored six points with a lewd word, which Channel 4 had to bleep out. |
Mark Murphy, an IT consultant from Edinburgh, formed the word - a synonym for masturbator - from the letters R, A, E, P, K, W, A, E, N. | Mark Murphy, an IT consultant from Edinburgh, formed the word - a synonym for masturbator - from the letters R, A, E, P, K, W, A, E, N. |
Although he was censored when he uttered the word on Wednesday's show, it was permitted under official rules. | Although he was censored when he uttered the word on Wednesday's show, it was permitted under official rules. |
"That's absolutely fine," said adjudicator Susie Dent. "It's in the dictionary, so we must allow it." | "That's absolutely fine," said adjudicator Susie Dent. "It's in the dictionary, so we must allow it." |
Mr Murphy's opponent Nick Evans thought he had created a longer word from the given letters - suggesting "weakener" - but was found to be short of a necessary third "e". | Mr Murphy's opponent Nick Evans thought he had created a longer word from the given letters - suggesting "weakener" - but was found to be short of a necessary third "e". |
Celebrity guest John Suchet beat both contestants, creating the word "reawaken". | Celebrity guest John Suchet beat both contestants, creating the word "reawaken". |
Mr Murphy went on to win Wednesday's contest, by 98 points to 34. | Mr Murphy went on to win Wednesday's contest, by 98 points to 34. |
Viewing figures | Viewing figures |
It is not the first time the word has appeared on the Countdown board - having cropped up in plural form in 2008, when it was also bleeped out. | It is not the first time the word has appeared on the Countdown board - having cropped up in plural form in 2008, when it was also bleeped out. |
An earlier series of the show disallowed the word, although the outtake has since appeared on several TV clip shows. | An earlier series of the show disallowed the word, although the outtake has since appeared on several TV clip shows. |
Other risque words to appear on Countdown through the years include fart, bastards and erection. | Other risque words to appear on Countdown through the years include fart, bastards and erection. |
The show's latest presenter is Nick Hewer, better known as Lord Sugar's assistant in The Apprentice. | The show's latest presenter is Nick Hewer, better known as Lord Sugar's assistant in The Apprentice. |
His debut last week attracted 938,700 viewers - much higher than the series' usual audience. | His debut last week attracted 938,700 viewers - much higher than the series' usual audience. |
Ratings have since settled to an average of about 829,000 - an improvement on former presenter Jeff Stelling's final episodes, which were seen by an average of 761,600 viewers. | Ratings have since settled to an average of about 829,000 - an improvement on former presenter Jeff Stelling's final episodes, which were seen by an average of 761,600 viewers. |
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