Susie’s vowel play
“I’ll have five consonants, four vowels and a vial of blood to scribble down my answers with, please, Rachel.”
A Countdown enthusiast sent Susie Dent Dictionary Corner’s fan mail... written in their own blood.
The lexicographer says it disturbed her: “It made me dizzy thinking about it. It was a slightly strange one.”
It comes after the Channel Nick Hewer teatime quiz’s host revealed he received a pair of racy, red knickers in the post from one besotted fan.
But undies are one thing Susie has not had through the mail: “I’ve certainly not had any knickers – male or otherwise – that I know of. The team are wonderful, I think they probably check things before they pass them on.”
Nick and Susie have a great relationship off-screen, and frequently enjoy “corpsing” (bursting into laughter during filming) over their innuendoes and inappropriate jokes.
“He’s quite morbid,” says Susie. “He has an unhealthy interest in historical killings. And there’s quite a lot of talk about pets that he wasn’t very kind to when he was little.
“He’s truly fascinated by languages so he’s a great person to talk to when I deliver my origin of words.
“He calls it my ‘special spot’, which always makes me laugh.” ■■Susie recently learnt a new language – coding – as part of the partnership between John Lewis and robot firm Anki, whose gadget Cozmo helps children and parents learn to code. The Create with Cozmo Coding Book is available from October 20.