Marcel Stellman, lyricist and record company executive who brought Countdown to Britain – obituary
Besides creating the UK’s best-loved quiz show, he wrote for Charles Aznavour and Tony Bennett and worked with the Rolling Stones
Jean and Marcel Stellman in 2017
Credit: Stephen Pover/Shutterstock
Marcel Stellman, who has died aged 96, was a record company producer and executive, and a lyricist who wrote for artists of the calibre of Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Charles Aznavour and Tony Bennett; but his lasting claim to fame in the UK is his role in importing the quiz show Countdown, which has dominated afternoon television since 1982.
Marcel Stellman: Tributes flood in after Countdown creator dies, aged 96 Abbianca Makoni
Carol Vorderman and Rachel Riley were among stars to pen an emotional tribute to Countdown creator Marcel Stellman who has died, aged 96.
Belgian-born Stellman was also a record producer and lyricist who wrote songs for stars including Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Charles Aznavour, The Shadows and Tony Bennett.
A statement from his family said: “The death has been announced on May 2 of Marcel Stellman, 96, former record executive with Decca Records, a prolific song lyricist whose hits included Tulips From Amsterdam and the man who brought the Countdown TV game show to Great Britain, the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4, where it has been aired continuously since 1982.”
Marcel Stellman, creator of long-running gameshow Countdown, has died aged 96.
Belgian-born Stellman was also a record producer and lyricist who wrote songs for stars including Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Charles Aznavour, The Shadows and Tony Bennett.
A statement from his family said: “The death has been announced on May 2 of Marcel Stellman, 96, former record executive with Decca Records, a prolific song lyricist whose hits included Tulips From Amsterdam and the man who brought the Countdown TV game show to Great Britain, the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4, where it has been aired continuously since 1982.”
I am so sorry to hear this news Mark….x Marcel and Jeanie and I had so many very happy decades together, forging a path for Countdown in the early days and working hard together to make it the juggernaut it then became….Happy days. A great life well lived. ❤️❤️
Countdown creator Marcel Stellman has died at the age of 96, his family have confirmed.
The Belgian-born creator began his career as a producer and international manager at Decca Records before going on to buy the French TV series Des Chiffres et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters) and remaking it in the UK as Countdown in 1982.
He was also a record producer and lyricist who wrote songs for stars including Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Charles Aznavour, The Shadows and Tony Bennett.
In a statement today his family said: The death has been announced on May 2 of Marcel Stellman, 96, former record executive with Decca Records, a prolific song lyricist whose hits included Tulips From Amsterdam and the man who brought the Countdown TV game show to Great Britain, the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4, where it has been aired continuously since 1982.
Marcel Stellman: Tributes flood in after Countdown creator dies, aged 96 Abbianca Makoni
Carol Vorderman and Rachel Riley were among stars to pen an emotional tribute to Countdown creator Marcel Stellman who has died, aged 96.
Belgian-born Stellman was also a record producer and lyricist who wrote songs for stars including Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Charles Aznavour, The Shadows and Tony Bennett.
A statement from his family said: “The death has been announced on May 2 of Marcel Stellman, 96, former record executive with Decca Records, a prolific song lyricist whose hits included Tulips From Amsterdam and the man who brought the Countdown TV game show to Great Britain, the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4, where it has been aired continuously since 1982.”