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Episode 8539

From Countdown

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 had 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