Episode 8653
From Countdown
Episode 8653 was broadcast on 21 November 2025, as part of Series 92.
Wayne Benson played Ricky Cohen, with Ricky Cohen winning 102 – 69. The Dictionary Corner guest was John Thomson, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.
Rounds
| Rnd | Selection | Wayne Benson | Score | Ricky Cohen | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SNBEAEHLU | BANSHEE | 7 – 7 | ENABLES | NEBULAE*, NEBULAS*, UNLEASH*, USEABLE | 7 |
| 2 | RMIOCTAEN | romanic ☓ | 7 – 25 | MANTICORE | CREMATION | 25 |
| 3 | 100 7 9 10 7 5 → 820 | — | 7 – 25 | 818 ☓ |
RR: 820 = 100 × 7 + (7 + 5) × 10 |
35 |
| TTT | HOTBANJOS | Mr. Thomson could travel downriver in these. | JOHNBOATS | |||
| 4 | TSAEGKISN | STAKING | 14 – 32 | STAKING | EASTINGS*, GENISTAS*, GIANTESS, SEATINGS*, SNAKIEST | 43 |
| 5 | TPSEIOQMU | QUIETS | 14 – 39 | MOPIEST | MISQUOTE | 51 |
| 6 | 25 6 1 9 7 8 → 593 | 593
(7 + 8 + 9) × 25 − 6 − 1 |
24 – 49 | 593
(7 + 8 + 9) × 25 − 6 − 1 |
|
61 |
| 7 | DRSIEACFO | coarsed ☓ | 24 – 55 | SCORED | IDOCRASE | 69 |
| 8 | GDAISLUIP | GULPS | 24 – 61 | PLAIDS | GLADIUS* | 76 |
| 9 | 25 100 4 5 3 9 → 266 | 266
(3 × 5 − 4) × 25 − 9 |
34 – 71 | 266
(25 + 4) × 9 + 5 |
|
86 |
| TTT | LAKEDREAM | If you dream of living by the lake, this person can do the business. | DEALMAKER | |||
| 10 | TDEAWGINF | WAFTING | 41 – 78 | DEFIANT | FAINTED*, TWANGED, TWINGED, WINDAGE* | 93 |
| 11 | GMRUEIMNE | reeming ☓ | 41 – 84 | MINGER | MERINGUE | 101 |
| 12 | RNAOSHESU | HARNESS | 41 – 92 | UNHORSES | HOARSENS*, ONRUSHES*, SENHORAS | 109 |
| 13 | TLRIOASTE | TOASTIER | 49 – 92 | TAILORS | ARISTOTLE*, TOTALISER | 127 |
| 14 | 50 9 5 4 2 7 → 307 | 307
(2 + 4) × 50 + 7 |
59 – 102 | 307
(2 + 4) × 50 + 7 |
|
137 |
| 15 | TELLYBEAD | BELATEDLY
(2.25 seconds) |
69 – 102 | 147 | ||
