Countdown contestant reveals why TV show is so much harder than it looks due to 'annoying' hidden feature

We’ve all experienced it: You’re sat on the TV, stuffing down a take-away, watching some game show, and the contestants are being so thick it makes you want to cry.

Whether it be Pointless contestants saying Norwich is a country that has appeared at multiple World Cups or 1% club viewers yelling at the screen over easy questions, we’ve all been there.

If you ever found yourself yelling at Countdown, however, one contestant has revealed why the show is much harder than it looks.

The show recently brought in a replacement for Rachel Riley, Dr Tom Crawford, who is taking over this season while she works on another project.

Whilst watching though, the hidden feature that frustrates contestants is more obvious than you’d think.

One participant appeared on the show in 2023, per the Daily Mail, and wrote on the Digital Spy forums about how it’s much harder than it looks.

They responded to one commenter saying that a woman named Sharon’s performance was ‘painful’ to watch.

The show is more difficult than it looks (Channel 4)

While they replied saying they rewatched and understand that she didn’t exactly smash it, they added: “I can say from my trivial time on the show last year that it's much easier when you're sat at home, pausing as you please.”

They went on to say being at home is ‘much more relaxing than being in the studio’, adding: “Faced with cameras and feeling the pressure of the clock booming in each round (it's not edited in, it plays whilst you're there which caught me off guard a little when I was on).”

The thought of having to do complex maths and word based puzzles on TV whilst a clock ticking and booming is going on, to me, sounds like some sort of dream-like torture experience.

The discussion came after Sharon Redrobe from Stratford-upon-Avon scored 20 points when she appeared on the show in 2023.

Sharon appeared on the show and was heavily criticised (Channel 4)

Her fellow contestant on the same show scored 100.

The initial comment said: “I know the stats would say otherwise, but Sharon must be one of the weakest contestants ever.

"Even allowing or the nerves associated, that was pretty awful.

“I am glad that she seemed to be enjoying herself but I found it a bit painful to watch.”

The forum criticised Redrobe’s performance, particularly her choosing to try and get points for words such as SCON and STROL.

While I’m sure we all probably reckon we could do a better job than SCON, knowing about the clock might make us all a bit more accommodating next time someone c*cks up on the show.

Countdown is available to stream on All 4.