Episode 8539

Episode 8539 was broadcast on 16 June 2025, as part of Series 91.

Mark Vince played Mel Smith, with Mel Smith winning 84 – 66. The Dictionary Corner guest was Ricky Wilson, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

The solution in Round 9 was provided by Vince as he actually got the target but mistakenly declared 871 instead.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Mark Vince	Score	Mel Smith	Others	Max.
1	MHTPIAEOS	OPIATES	7 – 0	PATHOS	APOTHEMS, MATESHIP, OPSIMATH, SHIPMATE*	8
2	TEUCRNAIB	CABINET	14 – 7	CURTAIN	INCUBATE, URBANITE*	16
3	25 9 7 2 10 8 → 761	763 (2 × 10 + 8) × 25 + 9 × 7	21 – 7	—	RR: 761 = ((7 + 8) × 25 + 10) × 2 − 9	26
TTT	GREENLAD	Was the famous German golfer a little worse for wear?			LANGERED
4	TGUABWIOT	AGOUTI	27 – 7	ABOUT	OUTWAIT*, TUGBOAT	33
5	RMGLIEAOS	REALISM	27 – 25	GLAMORISE		51
6	50 25 8 7 2 6 → 309	309 6 × 50 + 7 + 2	37 – 35	309 6 × 50 + 7 + 2		61
7	ZRLPAEOEI	POLARIZE	45 – 43	POLARIZE		69
8	NDCAEYUSR	DANCERS	52 – 43	SCARED	ARDENCY, ASUNDER, CARNEYS, CRUSADE, DANSEUR, DASYURE, DURANCE, UNCARED, UNCASED*, UNREADY	76
9	75 7 9 5 6 7 → 867	871 ☓	52 – 43	—	RR: 867 = (5 + 7) × 75 − 7 × 6 + 9	86
TTT	BETALIVE	It should really have been avoided.			EVITABLE
10	TGIUVDALE	VAULTED	59 – 43	VALUED	DIVULGE, GUILTED, LIGATED, VULGATE*	93
11	RNSFOEOEG	FORGOES	59 – 51	FOREGONE	FOREGOES	101
12	NLAICSOHR	ANCHORS	66 – 58	SCHOLAR	CLARIONS*	109
13	WTNMEAOUE	omentae ☓	66 – 64	AMOUNT	OMENTA, OUTMAN, TONEME, TOWNEE*	115
14	100 50 10 6 5 9 → 465	465 ☓	66 – 74	465 9 × 50 + 10 + 5		125
15	SCORNGILL		66 – 84	SCROLLING (9.75 seconds)		135