DINOS SFYRIS has joined an exclusive club while also becoming a viral online sensation.
The former Wath Comprehensive pupil, 30, enjoyed a stunning run on Channel 4’s Countdown - winning eight shows in a row and in the process becoming one of the famed ‘Octo Champions’.
This means he will be heading back to the TV studios in a fortnight for the filming of its series finals. But it’s likely he will be remembered for finding the word ‘shagged’ during one of the words rounds.
It earned him seven points and lots of laughs.
“It got retweeted a lot of times,” laughed the maths tutor. It is a bit surreal being an Octo Champ and I have been overloaded with messages from people.
“It did not really sink in until the final conundrum what I had achieved.”
Dinos has been a regular on our screens since his debut on Countdown aged 18. He won three shows in a row that time but has developed since then.
“They use the Oxford Dictionary online which has so many new words in, I’m learning them all the time,” he added.
“For example ohmygawd is now a word.
“It helps if you have the time and energy to put in to practice and get better. I have definitely improved through practising online. It is addictive.”
Dinos also became part of ‘The 900 Club’ during his eight-game winning streak, which climaxed on Tuesday.
“That is when you add all the scores together from the eight games,” he added.
“The first time I went on Countdown I wasn’t aware that you could practice online so my best score then was 99.”
Dinos, who has also been on shows like The Chase, The Weakest Link and Pointless, will feature again on Countdown in July.
Watch his most recent ‘Octo Champion’ performance at the Channel 4 website here.
