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Episode 495
Episode 495 was broadcast on 2 February 1987, as part of Series 11, and was a special game to celebrate Countdown's 500th show (although the actual 500th game would not be broadcast for about a week).
Bill Tidy, aided by Mark Nyman, Brian Hudson, Peter Evans and Darryl Francis played Gyles Brandreth, aided by Clive Freedman, Michael Wylie, Joyce Cansfield and Harvey Freeman with Bill Tidy winning 41-32. There were no Dictionary Corner guests in this episode, although the audience was made up of former contestants and dictionary corner guests including John Junkin, Steve Jones, Eve Pollard, Ken Bruce and Lee Peck. Also present were Channel 4 Commissioning Editor for Light Entertainment Mike Bolland, Bertrand Renard from Des chiffres et des lettres, and word game expert (and co-author of the first of the Countdown puzzle books) Peter Newby. The lexicographer was Della Thompson.
Bill Tidy played Gyles Brandreth, with Bill Tidy winning 41 - 32. The Dictionary Corner guest was [[]], and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.
Rounds
| Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy with Mark Nyman | Score | Gyles Brandreth with Clive Freedman | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIYLVRESY | VIRELAYS | 8 – 0 | SILVERY | 8 | |
| 2 | AORGDPITR | AIRPORT | 15 – 0 | PARROT | AIRDROP*, PAROTID* | 15 |
| Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy with Brian Hudson | Score | Gyles Brandreth with Michael Wylie | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 6 8 3 7 4 → 775 | 775 ☓ | 20 – 5 | — |
|
25 |
| 4 | AUGYKTORA | GYRATOR ☓ | 20 – 11 | RAGOUT | AUTARKY* | 32 |
| Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy with Peter Evans | Score | Gyles Brandreth with Joyce Cansfield | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | TSHOUWHJE | SHOUT | 25 – 16 | HOUSE | ETHOS*, SHOTE*, THOSE*, HOWES*, WHOSE*, JOUST*, SOUTH*, THOUS*, THEWS*, WHETS* | 37 |
| 6 | 100 10 8 2 1 3 → 239 | 239 | 41 – 32 | 239 |
|
47 |
| Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy with Darryl Francis | Score | Gyles Brandreth with Harvey Freeman | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | NLWBOAENF | FLOWN | 20 – 5 | FLOWN | ALONE*, ANOLE*, BEANO*, BELOW*, BOWEL*, ELBOW*, BLOWN*, BONNE*, FABLE*, FELON*, LOWAN*, NOBLE* | 52 |
| 8 | STPIOIWSU | SPOUTS | 31 – 22 | POSITS | PISTOU*, PTOSIS*, STOUPS* | 57 |
| Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy | Score | Gyles Brandreth | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | ILLGBLYSE | billgyles ☓
(14 seconds) |
41 – 32 | billandgyles/sybil ☓
(1/29 second) |
GYLESBILL | 67 |
