Episode 8693
From Countdown
Episode 8693 was broadcast on 30 January 2026, as part of Series 93.
Callum Ridley played Paul Kilius-Smith, with Callum Ridley winning 94 – 49. The Dictionary Corner guest was Tom Read Wilson, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.
Rounds
| Rnd | Selection | Callum Ridley | Score | Paul Kilius-Smith | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VPGSEIARN | SPEARING | 8 – 0 | SPARING | VINEGARS | 8 |
| 2 | HFTRUEOGH | FOURTH | 8 – 7 | THROUGH | FOREGUT, TOUGHER* | 15 |
| 3 | 100 3 4 5 1 6 → 354 | 354
100 x 3 + (4 + 5) x 6 |
18 – 7 | — |
|
25 |
| TTT | STEPSRIOT | Forget Steps — think about one of the Spice Girls. | SPORTIEST | |||
| 4 | DTPIEXTAM | MATTED | 24 – 13 | TAXIED | MIXTAPE | 32 |
| 5 | RSWLOEOSL | LOWERS | 30 – 13 | slowers ☓ | SOOLERS, SWOLLER* | 39 |
| 6 | 25 5 7 7 4 9 → 854 | 854 ☓ | 30 – 13 | 854 ☓ |
RR: 854 = (5 x 25 − (7 − 4)) x 7 |
49 |
| 7 | GYCDEUALN | UNLACED | 37 – 20 | GLANCED | CLANGED, LANGUED*, UNCAGED* | 56 |
| 8 | RFRIENOTE | FRONTIER | 45 – 20 | REFINER | REORIENT | 64 |
| 9 | 25 50 100 75 4 5 → 888 | 895
(4 + 5) x 100 − (75 + 50) ÷ 5 |
50 – 20 | 900 |
Best: 888 = (50 × 5 − 75 ÷ 25) × 4 − 100 |
74 |
| TTT | TOMSPLACE | Tom's place is full of this, so, who you gonna call? | ECTOPLASM | |||
| 10 | SNWNIEACB | cannies ☓ | 50 – 27 | CANINES | NANCIES*, SWANNIE* | 81 |
| 11 | MKDNEUOPB | BUNKED | 56 – 33 | BUNKED | BUNKOED | 88 |
| 12 | JDETUSAPT | upstated ☓ | 56 – 39 | ADJUST | SPATTED*, STATUED*, UPDATES*, UPSTATE | 95 |
| 13 | QTNSUEIAO | EQUATIONS | 74 – 39 | QUESTION | 113 | |
| 14 | 75 3 5 1 6 8 → 819 | 819
(8 + 3) x 75 − 6 |
84 – 49 | 819
(8 + 3) x 75 − 6 |
|
123 |
| 15 | SPIDERSAN | RAPIDNESS
(2 seconds) |
94 – 49 | 133 | ||