Brainy quiz show Countdown is featuring a professional footballer among its contestants for the first time in its 25-year history.

Notts County midfielder Neil Mackenzie, 32, applied to appear on the Channel 4 programme to dispel the myth that all footballers are stupid.

He passed auditions in Birmingham with flying colours and went on to take part in the 59th series of the popular teatime words and numbers quiz.

Countdown presenter Des O'Connor, 76, who played for Northampton Town before going into showbiz, chatted about football with the League Two player before recording began.

Kate Horton, the programme's associate producer, said: "It was great to have Neil on the show.

"He was a good sport and we hope this encourages other sportsmen and women to have a go."

Countdown was the first show to be broadcast on Channel 4 when the station was launched in November 1982.

Mackenzie can be seen on Countdown on Monday.