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.
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image captionMarcel Stellman and his wife Jean
Marcel Stellman, creator of Channel 4 s long-running gameshow Countdown, has died at the age of 96.
Belgian-born Stellman was also a record producer and lyricist who wrote songs for stars including Cilla Black, Charles Aznavour and The Shadows.
Among his best-known tracks was the Max Bygraves hit Tulips From Amsterdam, released in 1958.
Countdown was Channel 4 s first show at its 1982 launch and has become one of the world s most enduring game shows.
Stellman s nephew wrote on Twitter: It is with our deepest sorrow we share with you news of the death of our beloved Uncle - Marcel Stellman, 96, who passed away late last night. Marcel is survived by his beloved wife Jean.
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.”
at 9:30AM
Marcel Stellman the record exec, songwriter and man who brought TV quiz Countdown to the UK has died.
He passed away on Saturday (May 2), aged 96.
A long-standing producer and international manager at Decca, Stellman worked with the likes of Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Vera Lynn, Max Bygraves, The Moody Blues and The Rolling Stones.
He was also responsible for the lyrics of a series of hits including Tulips From Amsterdam, Johnny (Is The Boy For Me) and Un Garc on des I les.
Having watched French TV s Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres, Stellman acquired the rights to the letters and numbers shows, and rechristened it Countdown. It made its UK debut as the first programme to be broadcast on the new Channel 4 in 1982. It has remained on the station ever since.
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