Episode 8773

Episode 8773 was broadcast on 22 May 2026, as part of Series 93.

Gordon Innes played Ralph Hill, with Ralph Hill winning 88* – 78 after a tie-break conundrum. The Dictionary Corner guest was Lucy Porter, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Gordon Innes	Score	Ralph Hill	Others	Max.
1	TACRIEJND	TRAINED	7 – 0	dancier ☓	DICENTRA*	8
2	PGOEDOMUT	outmode ☓	7 – 6	MOOTED	POGOED, POOTED, POUTED	14
3	75 9 9 4 5 8 → 467	—	7 – 13	464 75 × 5 + 9 × 9 + 8	RR: 467 = (75 ÷ 5 × 4 − 9) × 9 + 8	24
TTT	MUDORGAN	This teatime teaser is too much food-for-thought.			GOURMAND
4	HIERCNILU	LUNCHER	14 – 20	LUNCHER	HIRCINE	31
5	RWEROAQMF	MARROW	20 – 26	MARROW	EARWORM, FOREARM*	38
6	50 1 3 4 8 9 → 795	796 (8 + 9 − 1) × 50 − 4	27 – 33	796 (8 + 9 − 1) × 50 − 4	RR: 795 = (8 + 9) × (50 − 3) − 4	48
7	LGDEAUTEN	TANGLED	34 – 33	legated ☓	DETANGLE*	56
8	GROEKUSAF	FORSAKE	41 – 33	rogues ☓⁷	EGOSURF*, FORAGES	63
9	25 9 9 2 8 4 → 973	975 (4 × 9 + 9 − 8 + 2) × 25	48 – 40	975 (8 × 4 + 9 − 2) × 25	RR: 973 = (25 × 4 + 9) × 9 − 8	73
TTT	LILOQUIP	Almost a small flute, but it's a small vegetable.			PIQUILLO
10	PLEOINLAH	PINEAL	54 – 46	PHENOL	APHELION*	81
11	TDREUICSU	DUSTER	54 – 54	CRUDITES	CURTSIED	89
12	NEASVESIP	PASSIVE	61 – 61	PENSIVE	PEAVINES	97
13	RSOETLIOD	LOITERS	68 – 68	STEROID	OESTRIOL, TOOLSIER	105
14	25 100 4 2 7 2 → 222	222 2 × 100 + 25 − (7 − 4)	78 – 78	222 2 × 100 + 25 − (7 − 4)		115
15	MMCURRIES		78 – 78		SCRUMMIER	125
TB	BIGHORNET		78 – 88	BOTHERING (3.75 seconds)		125