The first ever series of Countdown was won that year by crossword compiler Joyce Cansfield. Since then, four more women have won the series - Hilary Hopper (in 1987), Liz Barber (1990), Verity Joubert ...

So when fast-rising Seattle grunge act Pearl Jam booked a six week European club tour in the spring of 1992, their first dates outside of the US, Countdown's producers naturally reached out to ...