Channel 4 Countdown star charged with 'stabbing rival at tournament'

John Cowen, 30, who won the highest score of the 2017 series of the Channel 4 gameshow, was arrested after allegedly attacking his rival

a Countdown champion has been charged with allegedly stabbing a rival at an event in Blackpool. John Cowen, 30, who achieved the highest score in the 2017 series of the Channel 4 game show was arrested on September 14.

A man in his twenties was hospitalised for treatment, and Cowen was charged with section 18 wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article. Cowen, who appeared in 12 episodes overall and won eight consecutive contests, competed in the Series 77 finals in December 2017.

He later lost to Bradley Horrocks in the semi-final and again in the quarter-final of the Championship of Champions XV series in 2019. Former winners of the show compete against each other at the Blackpool Countdown event.

While it's not yet confirmed who the alleged victim was, Cowen, from Morecambe, Lancashire, will appear in Preston Crown Court on Monday to begin his trial. The Mirror has reached out to Lancashire Police for comment, reports the Mirror.