Clarke Carlisle is the first Premier League player to appear on the show

A Premier League footballer has fulfilled a lifelong ambition - by appearing on Channel 4's television show Countdown.

Clarke Carlisle, who plays for Burnley Football Club, beat fellow contestant and reigning champion Adam Guest by 89 points to 55.

The game show tests participants' spelling and mental arithmetic.

Carlisle, 30, said: "I can't say it's better than winning a big football game - but it's up there."

He added during the show: "It's a lifelong ambition. I'm just delighted to be here."

'Brainiest footballer'

Jeff Stelling, who hosts the Channel 4 show, said: "Your team-mates can't take the mickey out of you too much now."

Carlisle is the first Premier League footballer to appear on the show, although not the first player as Notts County's Neil Mackenzie was on the programme in 2008.

The Burnley player was crowned "Britain's Brainiest Footballer" in an ITV show hosted by former Countdown mathematician Carol Vorderman in January 2002.

He won the title by seeing off a panel of 12 including England's World Cup-winning full-back George Cohen and Newcastle striker Malcolm Macdonald.

His success means he will continue to appear on the show - for a maximum eight games - should he keep winning.