A Countdown contestant, who first began watching the show as a teenager struggling with mental health issues, has recorded the quiz programme's highest ever score. 

On Thursday, hosts Colin Murray, Rachel Riley and Susie Dent watched in awe as Tom Stevenson, 21, recorded 154, beating the previous high score of 152, working out the show's trademark final conundrum - this time the word volunteer - in just three seconds. 

University of Worcester student Stevenson, whose Twitter bio describes himself as a 'Eurovision obsessive, Culture Vulture, Petrolhead, MH sufferer, keen writer and statto', managed to get a trio of nine-letter words before the conundrum put him in the record books.  

The episode, which was filmed in August but broadcast at 2:10pm on Thursday, saw Stevenson beat opponent Lauren Bowley by 154 to 28. 

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The 21-year-old, from Burford, Shropshire, shared a photo of himself next to the record high score on Twitter, saying: 'Guess it was time for a change! #newprofilepic'.

The cool as a cucumber contestant told The Sunday Times he didn't let his nerves stop him from recording the win despite host Colin Murray telling viewers they were on the verge of a 'historic moment' ahead of the conundrum.   

Stevenson said: 'I'm genuinely not sure how I was able to stay so relaxed. I think the most nervous I got was when I felt my heart pounding before the conundrum.

'I do try to meditate on a daily basis, though, so it could have been that, plus the chairs are rather comfy.' 

He said he first became interested in the show while studying for his GCSEs after being left house-bound by agoraphobia. 

The 21-year-old said that he was inspired to appear on the show because he didn't want his A-level results, three D grades, to 'define him' - and he now hopes to become an English teacher after finishing his degree in English literature, media and culture.

In the summer, Colin Murray was named as the latest presenter to sit in the host's chair on teatime favourite quiz Countdown.

Countdown's previous presenters were the late Richard Whiteley (1982 to 2005), Des Lynam (2005 to 2006), the late Des O'Connor (2007 to 2008), Jeff Stelling (2009 to 2011), Nick Hewer (2012 to 2021) and Anne Robinson (2021 to 2022).

It was revealed that Anne Robinson was leaving the show after just one year by The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff, and Anne has since said she quit over a pay dispute.

It has been claimed the cast of Countdown are 'relieved' Anne left after reports of an on-set feud with Rachel Riley - who Anne reportedly found 'too noisy' - and Susie Dent.