Episode 8579

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Episode 8579 was broadcast on 11 August 2025, as part of Series 92.

Helen Ross played Donald Elsom, with Helen Ross winning 71 – 32. The Dictionary Corner guest was Dr Ranj Singh, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

At 96-years-old, Elsom is the oldest contestant to appear in the history of the show.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Helen Ross	Score	Donald Elsom	Others	Max.
1	NFELNAMSE	FLAMES	6 – 0	NAMES	ENAMELS, FEMALES, FLAMENS*, LENSMAN*, LENSMEN*	7
2	VDLOUNRET	TRUNDLE	13 – 0	LOUDER	LOUVRED*, ROUNDEL, UNLOVED*, VOLUTED*	14
3	25 50 8 10 5 2 → 791	790 2 × 8 × 50 − 10	20 – 0	☓	RR: 791 = (10 + 5) × 50 + 25 + 8 × 2	24
TTT	MEGAFLINT	Thoughts of soft fruit existed in your imagination.			FIGMENTAL
4	RATPEDYIE	PIRATED	27 – 7	PARTIED	DIETARY, DIPTERA*, PEATIER*, PREDATE*, RETYPED*, TAPERED*	31
5	STIUAGRHP	GRAPHS	33 – 7	PARTS	UPRIGHTS	39
6	100 50 1 7 8 1 → 490	493 (8 + 1 + 1) × 50 − 7	40 – 14	493 (8 + 1 + 1) × 50 − 7	RR: 490 = (7 − 1 − 1) × (100 + 8) − 50	49
7	TLPOEIRNS	POLITER	40 – 22	POINTERS	PORNIEST*, PROTEINS, REPOINTS, SPLINTER*	57
8	RZTOAENLO	tazer ☓	40 – 22	looters ☓	ORTOLAN	64
9	25 1 7 8 4 10 → 378	378 (8 + 7) × 25 + 4 − 1	50 – 22	—		74
TTT	HEADYWOES	You spot Hank — it must be something in your makeup.			EYESHADOW
10	WDMEOISCE	COMEDIES	58 – 22	COSIED		82
11	KVUIMNSEH	hunkies ☓	58 – 27	MINUS	INHUMES, MIKVEHS*	89
12	GRDOEMFIU	MORGUE	64 – 27	GORED	DEIFORM*, FIGURED*, FIREDOG	96
13	TBAESANLR	STABLER	71 – 27	ABATES	ANTBEARS, ARBALEST*, RATSBANE	104
14	50 25 2 9 5 1 → 758	—	71 – 32	750 (25 + 50) × (9 + 1)	RR: 758 = (25 + 50) × 2 × 5 + 9 − 1	114
15	THEYSAVOR		71 – 32		OVERHASTY	124