A SPORTS fan who contributes reports to the County Gazette put his word skills to the test on a popular TV quiz show.

Matt Whelan, 25, from Taunton, was thrown in at the deep end at the recording of his appearance in Channel 4 programme Countdown.

Matt, who works for Primark as well as filing sports reports for the Gazette, was surprised to be chosen to take part after applying on a whim.

He said: "I'm a big fan of Countdown and just applied on the off chance.

"I was given a phone audition in which they asked me some letter and number tests and a conundrum and felt confident after getting through."

Matt travelled to Salford to record the show and was supposed to be fourth on.

"Someone failed to turn up, so all of a sudden they told me I was first on, which was really nerve racking," he said.

"I got off to a bad start but after settling down I didn't do too badly.

"Rachel Riley (co-presenter) was the highlight of the show and was really friendly, although I didn't quite get (fellow co-presenter) Nick Hewer's dry sense of humour."

Matt is recovering from the upset of seeing his favourite football team Plymouth Argyle lose in the Division Two play off final at Wembley on Monday and you'll have to wait to see if his Countdown appearance cheered him up when the show goes out on Channel 4 on Monday, July 4.

"I'm not saying how it worked out, but it's certainly given me the bug to apply for more shows - I'd love to go on The Cube."