MPs protest at quiz show move

Countdown was the first programme broadcast on Channel 4

MPs from all sides of the House of Commons have set Channel 4 a conundrum by demanding its word quiz Countdown be returned to its original time slot.

Jonathan Shaw, Labour MP for Chatham, tabled an Early Day Motion criticising the channel's "serious error".

The long-running institution - first broadcast in 1982 - has been moved from 1615 to 1515.

Mr Shaw said schoolchildren can no longer benefit from the programme's educational effects.

"It is a programme watched by possibly the broadest age group of any television programme," the MP told BBC News Online.

"Young children and their grandparents watched it together - it is a national institution."

'Plunging figures'

"I think this decision will exclude thousands of people - and if the number of calls I have been receiving is anything to go by, I think this motion reflects public opinion."

Countdown is innocent, it is educational - people use their brains - and it keeps the minds of a lot of elderly people active Ann Widdecombe MP

He added that he was concerned that viewing figures would have dropped since the change in time slot.

The show features word and number puzzles and is has a long-standing presenting team in Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman.

Viewing figures have virtually halved since the switch. On 12 September 1.6m people tuned in to see the last edition at the old time slot, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The following Monday just 800,000 people watched the programme.

Channel 4 said the show had been moved to make way for a "new-look schedule" in the afternoons, and that a new, three-year contract for the show is being negotiated.

A spokeswoman for the channel said the quiz was "attracting the sort of figures we would associate with that time slot".

'Intriguing motion'

Countdown appears to be a particular favourite among parliamentarians.

MPs BACKING THE MOTION Jonathan Shaw Bob Russell Angela Watkinson Kevin Barron Peter Kilfoyle Desmond Turner

Former shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe, Gyles Brandreth - the former Tory MP for Chester - and former Liberal leader Sir David Steel have all featured among guests in the show's "dictionary corner".

Ms Widdecombe - an established novelist with impeccable credentials as a wordsmith - described the motion as "intriguing" and said she would be hunting it down to add her name.

"Countdown is innocent, it is educational - people use their brains - and it keeps the minds of a lot of elderly people active," she told BBC News Online.