Number cruncher Michael Bowden is on 'Countdown' to becoming a TV champ.

Millions of viewers tuning into the cult programme watched the NHS accountant and dad-of-two from Rawdon win eight contests in a row.

Now the 43-year-old, who has been a big fan of the Channel 4 show since its small screen debut in 1982, has been declared an Octochamp and is waiting to be recalled for the end-of-series final which will be shown in June.

Michael is the third top player in th0e current series with 739 points and when filming starts in April for the knockout competition he will be up against a 14-year-old genius, Conor Travers, who is in first position with a score of 890.

He said: "That shows just how scary he is! He only looks about eight, but he's a challenge. No one's quite sure how he comes up with all the words.

I'm not sure he knows what they all mean but they're in the dictionary.

"He's quite special and I've got to admit I'm slightly concerned about being beaten by someone who is well under half my age!"

But Michael's librarian wife Mandy, 45, and two sons Adam, 16, and 19-yearold Matthew, will be rooting for him when the timer starts ticking again.

"We're all big fans of Countdown. The boys in particular have taken great pleasure from watching me on TV and beating me in rounds. It's a lot easier doing it from the comfort of your armchair than in the studio but the more rounds you do the less terrifying it gets." said Michael.

His number was nearly up on the fourth show when he was trailing 27 points behind the leader after seven rounds but a lucky nine-letter word "protested" saved the day and got him through to the next round.

"I'm a numbers man really but lucky for me I do rather well with the word challenges as well. It could all have been over in the fourth show but obviously my number wasn't meant to be up, " he said.

Damian Eadie, Countdown series producer, said: "Michael is a nice guy. He's very bright and ideal for the programme.

"He is doing very well. This has been a great series. It's the best standard we have had for a long time.

"One of the high spots so far is a 14-year-old who looks about six. He's as bright as a button."

Michael's wife Mandy, who works at Rawdon Library, is now thinking of trying her word power on the show and is about to fill in an application form.

"That's the next stage. We've got the form ready to fill in. In her job, she's never usually lost for words so she should do well!" said Michael.