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Episode 495
Episode 495 was broadcast on 2 February 1987, as a special episode extended to 45 minutes to celebrate Countdown's 500th show (although the actual 500th game would not be broadcast for 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. The lexicographer was Della Thompson.
There were no Dictionary Corner guests in this episode, although the audience was made up of former contestants and DC guests including John Junkin, Steve Jones, Eve Pollard, Ken Bruce and Lee Peck. Also present were Mike Bolland (Channel 4 commissioning editor for light entertainment), Bertrand Renard from Des chiffres et des lettres, and Peter Newby (word game expert and co-author of the first of the Countdown puzzle books).
Renard offered the solution to Round 3.
This was the only episode to be broadcast using the unique format of LLNLLNLLC.
Rounds
Rnd | Selection | Bill & Mark | Score | Gyles & Clive | Others | Max. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AIYLVRESY | VIRELAYS | 8 – 0 | SILVERY | 8 | |
2 | AORGDPITR | AIRPORT | 15 – 0 | PARROT | AIRDROP*, PAROTID* | 15 |
Rnd | Selection | Bill & Brian | Score | Gyles & Michael | Others | Max. |
3 | 2 6 8 3 7 4 → 775 | 775 ☓ | 15 – 0 | — |
CV: 775 = 4 × 3 × (6 + 2) × 8 + 7 |
25 |
4 | AUGYKTORA | gyrator ☓ | 15 – 6 | RAGOUT | AUTARKY* | 32 |
Rnd | Selection | Bill & Peter | Score | Gyles & Joyce | Others | Max. |
5 | TSHOUWHJE | SHOUT/JOUST | 20 – 11 | HOUSE | ETHOS*, HOWES*, SHOTE*, SOUTH*, THOSE*, THOUS*, THEWS*, WHETS*, WHOSE* | 37 |
6 | 100 10 8 2 1 3 → 239 | 239
2 × 100 + 3 × 10 + 8 + 1 |
30 – 21 | 239
2 × 100 + 3 × 10 + 8 + 1 |
|
47 |
Rnd | Selection | Bill & Darryl | Score | Gyles & Harvey | Others | Max. |
7 | NLWBOAENF | FLOWN/BLOWN | 35 – 26 | FLOWN/BLOWN | ALONE*, ANOLE*, BEANO*, BELOW*, BONNE*, BOWEL*, ELBOW*, FABLE*, FELON*, LOWAN*, NOBLE* | 52 |
8 | STPIOIWSU | SPOUTS | 41 – 32 | POSITS | PISTOU*, PTOSIS*, STOUPS* | 58 |
Rnd | Selection | Bill Tidy | Score | Gyles Brandreth | Others | Max. |
9 | ILLGBLYSE | billglyes ☓
(14 seconds) |
41 – 32 | billandgyles/sybil ☓
(1, 29 second) |
GYLESBILL | 68 |