A former Countdown champion launched a frenzied knife attack on a fellow ex-winner during a fan event, growling as he burst through a Blackpool social club before stabbing his rival in the arm, Preston Crown Court heard. The shocking scenes unfolded at the Focal Countdown Group meet-up at the Wainwright Social Club, where past contestants and die-hard fans of the Channel 4 quiz show gather to play each other.

CCTV captured attacker John Cowen, 31, storming through the function room, pushing past tables and guests before lunging at the victim, Thomas Carey, with a knife. Around 30 horrified onlookers watched the Cambridge maths graduate charge across the room after letting out what the victim described as a “half-growl, half-scream”.

“He came up to me with the knife and stabbed me in

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