Carol Vorderman and Richard Whiteley arrive for the British Book Awards, held at the Grosvenor House hotel in 2005.

The Channel 4 quiz programme known for its memorable theme tune first hit our screens in 1982 and introduced some household names. From the late Richard Whiteley to his co-star Carol Vorderman, to their longest serving lexicographer Susie Dent and the arrival of Rachel Riley, viewers have seen a small rotation of hosts, guest hosts, and spin-off shows.

But behind the scenes the show has been met with tragedies over the years that have hit the headlines. From devastating deaths to a contestant stabbing a rival, Express.co.uk takes an inside look into the show's biggest tragedies.

Sean Lock achieved television success with a long run as a team captain on Jimmy Carr's Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats and the spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and also wrote and starred in the popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High. In 2021, it was announced the beloved comedian had died at the age of 58 from cancer.

The news shocked fans as tributes poured in for the on-screen comic. Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer Ian Katz described Sean as "One of the most original voices in comedy and one of the loveliest people too" adding "Sean's bone dry wit helped make 8 Out of 10 Cats one of Channel 4's best loved shows and we owe him a huge debt of thanks for all the years of laughter and fun".

A former Countdown champion stabbed a rival at a fan convention. The incident happened in September 2024 at a gathering of the Focal Countdown Group at the Wainwright Social Club in Blackpool, where former contestants on the Channel 4 TV quiz show and fans meet for unofficial tournaments.

John Cowen walked into convention venue with a knife and, in the words of the judge "went for" fellow Countdown champion Thomas Carey, stabbing him in the upper arm, a sentence hearing at Preston Crown Court was told.

The judge ordered that Cowen, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, be detained in hospital for an "indefinite duration" under the Mental Health Act.

Cowen appeared on Countdown in 2017, when he scored the third highest total of the series in which he was a contestant, including spotting the nine-letter word spreading.

He competed in a further 11 episodes, winning eight consecutive contests, before he was finally defeated.

Known as the face of Channel 4, Richard Whiteley was the first presenter of Countdown when the show launched in 1982 and hosted the programme for 23 years.

The on-screen host tragically died on June 26, 2005, at the age of 61 following complications from an emergency heart operation.

He had been hospitalised in May 2005 with pneumonia and was recovering, but doctors discovered an infected heart valve (endocarditis), leading to surgery on June 24, 2005. Richard died in Leeds General Infirmary while in recovery.

A spokeswoman for the channel said at the time they were "shocked and stunned" to hear of the death.