Episode 3612

Episode 3612 was broadcast on 17 December 2003, and was the first semi-final of Series 50.

Adam Laws played Chris Cummins, with Chris Cummins winning 97 – 59. The Dictionary Corner guest was Richard Digance, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

NOTE: Richard Whiteley erroneously stated Cummins' points total as 963 instead of 965 in his introduction.

The audience member who solved the conundrum was Series 46 champion Ben Wilson.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Adam Laws	Score	Chris Cummins	Others	Max.
1	GSMIEANTO	STEAMING	8 – 8	STEAMING	AMNIOTES, MAGNETOS, MANGIEST, MEGATONS, MITOGENS, MONTAGES	8
2	LDCTRIEOF	CORDITE	15 – 15	TREFOIL	CORTILE, CROFTED, FLIRTED, LOFTIER, TRIFLED, TRIFOLD*	15
3	RLSEIUMHE	LEISURE	22 – 22	MISRULE	HELMERS, MUSHIER	22
4	YNRCSAOET	CANTERS	22 – 30	ANCESTOR	ANCESTRY, ENACTORS*	30
5	5 3 4 1 7 3 → 352	351	22 – 40	352 (7 + 4) × (3 + 1) × (5 + 3)		40
TTT	KYLIEWEB	Purchase every seven days, or every two weeks.			BIWEEKLY
6	RDTGHAEOE	GOATHERD	30 – 48	GATHERED	DEROGATE*	48
7	XMASDOKUC	DOCKS	35 – 53	SMOCK	DUMKAS, MUCOSA	54
8	JSMLNTAIE	MANLIEST	43 – 61	AILMENTS		62
9	BDROUISPE	SPIDER	43 – 68	BRUISED	BORIDES, DISROBE, PERIODS, ROSEBUD, SOUPIER	69
10	6 4 3 1 5 1 → 899	—	43 – 68	—	CV: 451 Best: 720 = 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × (1 + 1)	69
TTT	TROTONCE	An ice cream in the orchestra.			CORNETTO
11	VNMAEONDI	MANNED	49 – 74	MAIDEN	MONDAINE*	77
12	RCPNBLOIO	COLON	49 – 80	BRONCO	ORCINOL*	84
13	RUZESPALO	PALES	49 – 87	PERUSAL	LEPROUS, PARLOUS, PAROLES, PELORUS, REPOSAL*, ZEALOUS	91
14	6 10 7 7 2 4 → 177	177 (6 + 4 + 7) × 10 + 7	59 – 97	177 (10 + 7) × (6 + 4) + 7		101
15	FREDBATES	fastbreed ☓ (26.75 seconds)	59 – 97		BREASTFED	111