Episode 8681
From Countdown
Episode 8681 was broadcast on 14 January 2026, as part of Series 93.
Anne Marie Whitehead played Sean Haughey, with Sean Haughey winning 72 – 53. The Dictionary Corner guest was Mark Durden-Smith, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.
Rounds
| Rnd | Selection | Anne Marie Whitehead | Score | Sean Haughey | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRPGIUESO | PURGES | 0 – 7 | GOITRES | GROUPIES, GROUPSET, PIROGUES | 8 |
| 2 | DTEAENPTS | SPATTED | 0 – 15 | PATENTED | 16 | |
| 3 | 25 4 7 2 2 1 → 612 | 611 ☓ | 0 – 15 | — |
RR: 612 = (25 × 4 + 2) × (7 − 1) |
26 |
| TTT | RESISTEND | You can try to resist, but at the end of the day, this comes to us all. | TIREDNESS | |||
| 4 | BLIUIQMRA | 0 – 20 | QUAIL | BULIMIA | 33 | |
| 5 | NDLHEUOAB | HANDLE | 6 – 26 | UNLOAD | UNDOABLE | 41 |
| 6 | 75 2 10 7 2 1 → 471 | — | 6 – 33 | 474
(7 − 1) × 75 + (10 + 2) × 2 |
RR: 471 = (75 × 2 + 7) × (2 + 1) |
51 |
| 7 | DFKOAETIC | COATED | 12 – 39 | TICKED | FACTOID | 58 |
| 8 | LMEAEDGNI | MALIGNED | 20 – 39 | DEEMING | LIEGEMAN | 66 |
| 9 | 25 75 2 9 8 4 → 551 | 546 | 20 – 46 | 550
(9 − 2) × 75 + 25 |
RR: 551 = 2 × 4 × 9 × 8 − 25 |
76 |
| TTT | HERBATALL | Not a herb at all — it's a fungus that sounds like a cosmic sport. | EARTHBALL | |||
| 10 | PMAEIRTSX | PRIMATES | 28 – 54 | PRIMATES | MATRIXES, MIXTAPES | 84 |
| 11 | SWSFOUIET | WISEST | 34 – 60 | SUITES | SOFTIES | 91 |
| 12 | CNAOUGDVE | CANOED | 40 – 66 | CANOED | CONGAED*, COUVADE*, DECAGON, GUANOED*, UNCAGED | 98 |
| 13 | LWRSOAEUY | LOWERS | 46 – 72 | SOURLY | ELUSORY, LAWYERS* | 105 |
| 14 | 100 9 10 3 8 4 → 523 | 520
(8 − 3) × (100 + 4) |
53 – 72 | 525 ☓ |
RR: 523 = (8 − 3) × 100 + 9 + 4 + 10 |
115 |
| 15 | ANTIDEMON | 53 – 72 | NOMINATED | 125 | ||
