8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Returns in June

The comedy game of letters and numbers returns for a new set of episodes starting in June.

The new series takes the team captains from panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, Jon Richardson and Sean Lock, and puts them and a celebrity partner against each other in an abbreviated game of the legendary stoic game show Countdown.

Cats host Jimmy Carr sits in the presenter’s chair for the episodes while Dictionary Corner maven Susie Dent and numbers wiz Rachel Riley fill their roles again for the comedy special.

Among the celebrities joining Jimmy, Jon and Sean are Jonathan Ross, Bill Bailey, Freddie Flintoff, Jo Brand, Jason Manford, Vic Reeves, Claudia Winkleman, Josh Widdicombe and Stephen Mangan.

Ratings have been stellar for the comedy special, with each episode averaging over 2 million viewers. This is in sharp contrast to the daytime, non-comedic Countdown version, which as of May 20th has averaged about 350,000 in its teatime slot.

Zeppotron Managing Director Ruth Phillips says: “We’re delighted to be making more 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and hope that viewers will continue to enjoy the mix of playing along with such a classic game show, while being bombarded with comedic tomfoolery.”

The new series returns to Channel 4 on Friday, June 6 at 9:00 PM GMT.