Episode 8798

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The prize presentation of the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy.

Episode 8798 was broadcast on 26 June 2026, as the grand final of Series 93.

Patrick Thompson played Charlie Harrison, with Patrick Thompson winning 147 – 127. The Dictionary Corner guest was Oti Mabuse, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

This game has several notable highlights:

NOTE 1: Thompson's performance was a max game — the sixteenth in the history of Countdown and the first ever in a grand final in any playing format.

NOTE 2: Within a double century game in the new 15-round format, this was the first time that a max has been recorded.

NOTE 3: This was the first time in any version of the 15-round format that both contestants scored over 125.

NOTE 4: Harrison's losing score of 127 became the highest of all time, breaking the record set by Andy Platt in his Championship of Champions XIV quarter-final.

NOTE 5: Thompson and Harrison scored maximum points in 28 of the 29 picks they offered between them.

NOTE 6: The aggregate score of 274 is the highest in the history of the show, breaking the record set in the Championship of Champions XV quarter-final between Zarte Siempre and Tom Carey.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Patrick Thompson	Score	Charlie Harrison	Others	Max.
1	SLNDOIERO	EIDOLONS	8 – 8	EIDOLONS	SOLENOID	8
2	TCTRIEUIA	URTICATE	16 – 16	URTICATE		16
3	50 75 25 100 7 10 → 336	336 (75 − 25 − 100 ÷ 50) × 7	26 – 26	336 (75 − 25 − 100 ÷ 50) × 7		26
TTT	COLINEATS	Colin eats his fish and chips on the Portstewart Strand.			COASTLINE
4	NRDYUEOSD	REDOUNDS	34 – 34	REDOUNDS		34
5	PRNTAIEGO	OPERATING	52 – 52	OPERATING		52
6	2 6 1 3 10 5 → 250	250 (6 − 1) × 5 × 10	62 – 62	250 (6 − 1) × 5 × 10		62
7	NTDSEIOCE	SECTIONED	80 – 80	SECTIONED		80
8	VLTGAOIEI	VIOLATE	87 – 87	VOLTAGE	ILVAITE*	87
9	25 50 75 100 1 9 → 264	264 (75 − 9) × (100 ÷ 25)	97 – 87	265		97
TTT	RILEYSHAT	Rachel's hat covered up her new look.			HAIRSTYLE
10	FRLTEAOES	FLOATERS	105 – 95	FLOATERS	OLEASTER*, REFLATES*, REFLOATS	105
11	KSTRIOEXA	OSTERIA	112 – 102	ROASTIE	OAKIEST*, TROIKAS	112
12	SDRMOEIUG	DIMEROUS	120 – 110	DIMEROUS	SMUDGIER	120
13	MNLMEAESA	ENAMELS	127 – 117	MELAENA		127
14	2 4 8 8 10 2 → 280	280 (8 × 4 − 2 − 2) × 10	137 – 127	280 ((8 + 2) × 2 + 8) × 10		137
15	ECCAUTHOR	CARTOUCHE (1.5 seconds)	147 – 127			147