Episode 8803

Episode 8803 was broadcast on 3 July 2026, as part of Series 94.

Dave Smithson played Sarah Sharkey, with Sarah Sharkey winning 71 – 56. The Dictionary Corner guest was Jon Culshaw, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

This episode was broadcast at 14:35 to accommodate the live practice of the 2026 British Grand Prix.

NOTE: In Round 14, Smithson used the 100 twice in his solution and was erroneously awarded seven points. So the final score should have been 49 – 71.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Dave Smithson	Score	Sarah Sharkey	Others	Max.
1	PLSMAEOCN	SAMPLE	6 – 6	SOLACE	NEOPLASM, PLEONASM*	8
2	GRDEOESAH	shades ☓	6 – 13	GREASED	GHERAOED*, SOREHEAD	16
3	50 25 2 3 4 4 → 734	—	6 – 13	—	RR: 735 = ((50 − 3) × 4 + 2) × 4 − 25	23
TTT	HODRULES	You can take the blame for the whole joint.			SHOULDER
4	GTWUEOSET	stewout ☓	6 – 19	OUTSET	OUTEST, SUTTEE, TUTEES, TWEEST, TWEETS*	29
5	KQTAOISNE	STINK	6 – 25	ATONES	ATONIES, INTAKES, KENTIAS, OAKIEST	36
6	25 2 4 10 9 4 → 282	282 (25 + 4) × 10 − 4 × 2	16 – 35	282 (25 + 4) × 10 − 4 × 2		46
7	RMPOIUNHE	PHONE	21 – 35	unprime ☓	MORPHINE	54
8	PJTDOIEAB	joted ☓	21 – 41	BOATED	OPIATED	61
9	75 50 25 6 8 3 → 272	273	21 – 51	272 50 × 6 − 25 − 3		71
TTT	CHEWSODS	After chewing their sods, they return to these.			COWSHEDS
10	VSLIOEDIN	VIOLINS	28 – 58	DIVINES	LIONISED*, VISIONED	79
11	RCSAIERPR	PRAISE	28 – 65	CARRIES	CARRIERS	87
12	DMSAIEDAR	DREAMS	34 – 71	MADDER	DISARMED	95
13	GFTIIULFO	FLOUT	39 – 71	GIFT	FITFUL*	101
14	25 50 100 75 3 8 → 272	271** 3 × 100 − 25 − 8 ÷ (100 ÷ 50)	46 – 71	273 ☓	RR: 272 = 50 ÷ 25 × 100 + 75 − 3	111
15	PAGSAURAS	ASPARAGUS (4.75 seconds)	56 – 71			121