A CATERING student whose head for figures kept him on national television for weeks has missed out on the national title.

Quiz whizz Craig Chittenden almost made it through to the end of Countdown this week, but lost out in the series’ semi-final yesterday.

Craig, 22, from Coundon Grange, County Durham, was beaten by the programme’s number one seed – 15-year-old Oliver Garner, from Surrey, who had already amassed 925 points in his nine wins.

Modestly, Mr Chittenden conceded that the better man won and said he had fun taking part.

His winning streak on the letters and numbers brainteaser made him the toast of Bishop Auckland College, where students followed his progress on screens in the dining room.

He was finishing off a college assignment as he waited for the quarter final and semifinal programmes to be aired this week.

He also works part-time in Finbarr’s restaurant, in Durham’s Kings Lodge Hotel.

Mr Chittenden kept the result of the programme a closely guarded secret, even though his fellow students and his lecturers were desperate to know how he had fared.

But after an easy win on Tuesday, he knew his numbers were up at the start of yesterday’s semi-final show when Oliver led from the start.

He said: “He is a bit of a boy genius, so I didn’t think I stood a chance. I started to take a few guesses to make it a bit of fun.

“The whole thing was very enjoyable. The people were all great and the programme is so well done.

“You don’t have to know anything for a programme like Countdown. It is just words and figures. I don’t think I would want to try any other quizzes.

“When I started, I only wanted to win the first round, so I was amazed how far I went.”

His lecturer, Graham Kennedy, said: “ Craig is a positive, hardworking and dedicated student and puts 100 per cent effort into everything he does at college.

“He is a great role model to his peers and is always willing to take part in many student and college activities, we are all very proud of Craig and would like to tell him well done on Countdown.”