Watch out for this lady on Channel 4's Countdown next week. Essex-based Paula Rogers is to appear as a contestant on the hit words and numbers quiz show.

Ms Rogers, 66, who formerly worked in clearing banks, has been trying to get on to the show for the past 15 years and underwent six auditions.

She tells People: "When I got the letter saying that I had passed the audition, I was jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box."

She adds: "It was such a wonderful day. Carol Vorderman and Des O'Connor were really friendly.

"It was a great experience. My heart was thumping at the start but then it settled down and I was ok."

The show, which was recorded in September, will be screened on Channel 4 on Tuesday November 18 at 3.25pm. So, how did she get on? Ms Rogers isn't giving very much away. "I was equally good at both the words and numbers," she says.

Ms Rogers lives in Chadwell Heath.