Episode 3959

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Episode 3959 was broadcast on 1 July 2005, and was the Series 53 grand final.

John Mayhew played John Brackstone, with John Mayhew winning 86 – 76, after a tie-break conundrum, the first time a tie-break conundrum had been used to decide a series grand final. The Dictionary Corner guest was Philip Franks, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

This was the last episode to be presented by Richard Whiteley, and was broadcast shortly after his death.

Series 53 participant Tanmay Dixit was invited back to watch the final in the audience.

Mayhew claims that the game actually had three conundrums, the second of which was cut from the broadcast, but others present in the studio do not recall this event.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	John Mayhew	Score	John Brackstone	Others	Max.
1	FSLTEUAYT	TASTEFUL	8 – 0	FAULTS	ASTUTELY	8
2	MPNOEOCST	MOONSET	15 – 7	COMPOSE	COMPOTES	16
3	RGLREIEDP	REPLIED	22 – 14	REPLIED	GIRDLER*, PERILED*, PLEDGER, REPLIER*	23
4	NMRIAEDNA	MARINADE	30 – 22	MARINADE	MANDARINE	41
5	25 2 5 1 6 6 → 158	158 25 × 6 + 5 + 2 + 1	40 – 32	158 25 × 6 + 5 + 2 + 1		51
TTT	RENORIPS	He might talk about terms and conditions.			PRISONER
6	LRNEOETLS	RELENTS	47 – 32	renotes ☓	ENTRESOL, RELLENOS*	59
7	JLSPOEICW	POLICES	54 – 39	POLICES	COWSLIP	66
8	VHNAEOMFI	FAMINE	60 – 45	FAMINE	ANOMIE*	72
9	TDSRAIATE	RADIATES	68 – 53	RADIATES	ADSTRATE*, AIRDATES, SATIATED*, STRIATED*, TARDIEST*	80
10	100 1 6 4 3 10 → 723	721	68 – 63	723 (10 − 3) × 100 + 6 × 4 − 1		90
TTT	OSCARVET	Cloudy, with too many actors.			OVERCAST
11	ZBRKIEIST	STRIKE	68 – 70	BRISKET	KIBITZERS*	108
12	RHMAEIPRG	primage ☓	68 – 76	REPAIR	ARMIGER*, EPIGRAM, GRAPIER*	115
13	NTDQEUESA	UNSEATED	76 – 76	QUESTED		123
14	75 9 1 6 10 5 → 934	934 ☓	76 – 76	—	CV: 934 = (75 + 9) × (6 + 5) + 10	133
15	ARTGENIUS		76 – 76		SIGNATURE	143
TB	LIFEFAIDS	FALSIFIED (2.5 seconds)	86 – 76			143

External Links

• Watch this episode on YouTube (part 1)