Episode 8696

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Episode 8696 was broadcast on 4 February 2026, as part of Series 93.

Callum Ridley played James Massey, with Callum Ridley winning 83 – 51. The Dictionary Corner guest was Dr Ranj Singh, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

During the Introduction, Les Dennis incorrectly mentioned that Facebook was celebrating its 21st anniversary (the app was released in 2004, therefore it was actually marking its 22nd anniversary).

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Callum Ridley	Score	James Massey	Others	Max.
1	DRNCAEOEB	CRANED	0 – 7	BROADEN	BACONER, BANDORE*, BARCODE*, BROCADE, CARBENE*, DRACONE*, ENCODER*, ENCORED*, ENROBED*, REDBONE*	7
2	WISATERUP	WIRETAPS	8 – 7	WAITERS		15
3	100 1 2 7 10 4 → 115	115 10 + 4 + 1 + 100	18 – 17	115 10 + 4 + 1 + 100		25
TTT	NONMANIC	It's not manic, but there's a bit of it in a swirl.			CINNAMON
4	LITAFESIN	INFLATES	26 – 25	INFLATES	ALIENIST*, FINALISE*, FINALIST, LITANIES*	33
5	GSDRAOUAJ	GUARDS	32 – 31	GUARDS	JAGUARS, SAGUARO*	40
6	8 2 10 3 5 4 → 714	714 (5 + 4) x 8 x 10 − 3 x 2	42 – 31	717		50
7	RPNKEEALS	plankers ☓	42 – 31	plankers ☓	ALKENES*, KERNELS, LEAKERS*, LEAPERS*, PLANERS*, PLEASER*, PRESALE*, RANKLES*, RELAPSE*, REPEALS, REPLANS*, SNEAKER, SPANKER*, SPARKLE, SPEAKER*	57
8	COHIMETUN	TOUCHE	48 – 31	chimento ☓	CENTIMO*, COUTHIE, MUNCHIE*, TONEMIC*	64
9	25 100 50 75 3 7 → 674	675 100 x 7 − 25	55 – 38	675 100 x 7 − 25	RR: 674 = (100 − 3) x 7 − (75 + 50) ÷ 25	74
TTT	SEEKCOSY	Might you often see these fish in pairs.			SOCKEYES
10	MATOSILEF	LOAMIEST	63 – 38	METALS	FLAMIEST*, FLOATIES*, FOAMIEST, FOLIATES*	82
11	NXRBOUETC	COUNTER	70 – 45	TROUNCE	BOUNCER*, RECOUNT	89
12	MAROTIGAP	IMPORT	76 – 51	IMPORT	AIRPOT*, APORIA, ARMPIT*, IMPART*, OPTIMA*, PARAMO*, PATRIA*, RAGTOP*, TAMARI*	95
13	HNSDEIARP	parished ☓	76 – 51	headpins ☓	PINHEADS, RAPHIDES*, SPRAINED*	103
14	4 7 9 3 8 5 → 182	180 (9 + 5 + 4) x (7 + 3)	83 – 51	—	RR: 182 = (4 x 9 − (8 − 3 + 5)) x 7	113
15	WORDINEED		83 – 51		EIDERDOWN	123