MATHEMATICAL master and wily wordsmith David Roe is number one today after winning TV's quiz Countdown.

The chartered accountant and treasurer of St John Southworth Church in Nelson showed an Anglican vicar how the game should be played last night by defeating him 67-35.

David, 36, of Skelton Street, Colne, said: "I got a nine letter word idolaters which got me 18 points.

"Fortunately I had seen a contestant use the word on the show in February and I remembered it when they filmed the programme I was on in March.

"I have had five people ring me up already to congratulate me, but my nieces didn't get to see it because they had set the video up wrongly. Still they will get the chance to record tonight's episode."

David, who works for Ashworth Mould and Co, Nicholas Street, Burnley, said: "I applied for the show in October and went for an audition in Leeds and was accepted.

"I am not very good at the conundrums, I am best at the maths but then I am an accountant.

"If anyone is considering entering I would encourage them to do so. I got to meet Richard Whiteley, and he doesn't make as many puns off camera as he does on and Carol Vordeman, she is much the same on screen as off."