Episode 8773
From Countdown
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 | ||
