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 tiebreak conundrum (the first time that a tiebreak conundrum was used to decide a series winner). The Dictionary Corner guest was Philip Franks, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

NOTE 1: This was the last episode presented by Richard Whiteley, and was broadcast shortly after his sad death.

NOTE 2: Tanmay Dixit was invited back to watch the final in the audience.

NOTE 3: 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.

NOTE 4: To date, this is the only 15-round series final broadcast in July.

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)