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

NOTE 2: The first four letters read X-M-S-A in Round 6 and in response, Carol Vorderman swapped the S and the A to read XMAS.

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