Countdowners Queen Chloe Jones reports back from our latest event in Liverpool

Just one CORNETTO… more on that later.

Hosted by Andy Platt, Saturday 20^th June 2026 saw the return to Liverpool of the city’s fourth CO:Event. Once again it was a lively, colourful affair – but that’s enough about Andy’s Hawaiian shirt. The sun was out (well, it was warm) but we were in, nestled as we were in a cosily-lit area of the city centre’s Lime Street Central bar, ready for a total of three rounds and nine games of Lincoln-style gameplay.

For the uninitiated or forgetful, this means each of the ten tables of three competitors played three matches. Round 1 consisted of players drawn at random, with the seeding of the latter two rounds based on number of wins. Each game consisted of one person hosting while two competed.

R1 is my personal favourite, as you often get to play against people you never normally would, which is a lovely way of mixing things up and meeting new people. In my first round, I was lucky enough to play against series winner and all-round Countdown icon Tom Stevenson – with predictable results (83-15).

Energetic but focused, I could already tell that Tom was in winning mode, and instinctively knew he would be on top form that day; it was no surprise to see Tom topping the leader board in the early stages of the competition.

However, with lexical leviathan Dylan Taylor also in attendance, things were never going to be that straightforward. As the day progressed on to R2, I ended up playing against George Armstrong’s dad Michael again. Three years ago, I beat Michael in a game at Newcastle, but he finally got his own back at CO:Liv. We now relish a grudge match later in the year.

By the end of R2, Dylan was coming up the rear and, despite marvellous performances by stalwarts like Jonathan de Souza and Stephen Read, the reality was beginning to dawn that a Tom and Dylan final was taking shape.

R3 is perhaps the most enjoyable round generally, as you play against people of most similar ability to you at the event. I took on the Peets, AKA Colin and Jane, beating Colin to secure my only win of the day, but narrowly losing to Jane. For Peet’s sake. The event itself was around six hours long, but as ever you are so consistently busy all day that it flies by in no time. And once it flew and we reached 4pm, there were only two players left standing (well, sitting).

This was a gripping finale between Dylan and Tom, in part because, although Dylan had the most wins (6-5), Tom had accrued the most points (435-397). It was neck-and-neck for a time, but in Round 8, Dylan successfully made 815 from 3 7 2 6 10 and 8 to eke out a 20 point lead. Heading into a crucial, the Scouse-themed AACALMBRO conundrum rolled. Dylan buzzed early but was incorrect. Tom bided his time to try and unscramble the answer, but also couldn’t get it – CARAMBOLA (AKA a star fruit, a golden-yellow juicy fruit with a star-shaped cross section). Dylan Taylor lifted the winner’s trophy (well, big red clock) for an incredible 17^th time, having also won the FOCAL Finals in 2025. This means Dylan holds on to 2^nd place for most events ever won so far – but doubtless he is heading for 1^st place sooner rather than later.

Other winners on the night won smaller red clocks – but they were not the only victors. One award was for Rudest Word, for which there were four nominees. I will not repeat the winning word here, lest this website be yanked off the internet, but it began with C and rhymes with hunts. Well done, Mark Gelsthorpe.

Other accolades on offer were Best Senior and Best Newbie. Having finished the day in a very respectable 7^th place, Tracey Mills earned the Senior award, which she took in good humour before hobbling off on her metaphorical Zimmer frame. Although you often see the same faces on the FOCAL circuit, we always welcome newcomers with open arms (well, a friendly handshake). This year there were three, but Best Newbie award went to Mr. Ben Grinyer.

Best Fish was sadly not an award for words relating to finned, submerged vertebrates, but an accolade for players who saw a good potential word pick after 8 letters, went for it and then got it. That particular category had some fantastically enigmatic nominees, such as PINOTAGE, TWEEDIEST and the fabulously French SAUCISSON, a herby sausage. But there could only be one Best Fish winner to batter all others, and that was the incredible DEUTZIA, an ornamental shrub with white or pinkish flowers, native to Asia and Central America. Rapturous applause here for James Burley.

Another Countdown veteran, Mike Springett, secured the gong for Best 4 Large solve. And finally… Best Word. A somewhat loose award as more than one word was given consideration if the same person saw them as well. There really were some superb spots in here, including KAOLNITE (Dylan Taylor), HOMOGENY (James Burley), CARDAMON (Jon Stammers) and APOCRINE (Orla Judge). But apparently one person’s word stood out above all others – CORNETTO – and that lucky soul was me. Having attended events for nearly a decade now, this was my first ever award. To say I was humbled is an understatement, especially given the calibre on display. Okay so it was only a bottle of Clearasil (rude), but evidently I deserved it for all my spots (not those kind).

So as the sun set on another boss CO:Event in Liverpool, some people went home and some went hard (on the drinks and pool nearby). But, as with any event, whether you’re a first-timer or an old-timer, everyone enjoyed it. Many thanks to Andy for hosting, George and Adam for patiently assisting him, and MSR, Stephen and Diane for hosting the Final – you all made it happen.

And as it was a hot day, some of us had a CORNETTO to cool down. Just one, though… The next CO:Event is in Oxford on 11^th July, hosted by the DG himself, Darren Godfrey. Or for those nearer Liverpool, CO:Warrington with Matt O’Connor is on September 12^th.