Cillian McMulkin - Revision history

DaaniyalAli: /* Series 87 heats */

2026-07-15T19:25:29Z

‎Series 87 heats

Ronan Higginson: Another one.

2026-06-28T15:54:21Z

Another one.

DaaniyalAli at 15:03, 14 June 2026

2026-06-14T15:03:55Z

DaaniyalAli at 12:36, 10 June 2026

2026-06-10T12:36:45Z

DaaniyalAli at 16:14, 9 June 2026

2026-06-09T16:14:34Z

DaaniyalAli at 16:04, 9 June 2026

2026-06-09T16:04:26Z

TobyMcDonald at 21:32, 29 July 2024

2024-07-29T21:32:16Z

TobyMcDonald at 15:33, 30 June 2024

2024-06-30T15:33:12Z

TobyMcDonald at 23:44, 17 January 2024

2024-01-17T23:44:16Z

TobyMcDonald at 16:37, 30 June 2023

2023-06-30T16:37:20Z

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 In his [[Episode 7946|eighth victory]] which saw him spot a seventh nine of {{word|SIGNATURE}} and dropped only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]].
-McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as the full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when [[Ronan Higginson]] became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
+McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as the full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when [[Ronan Higginson]] became the second, which itself was a first in [[Series 62|thirteen years]] and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
 ===Finals===

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 In his [[Episode 7946|eighth victory]] which saw him spot a seventh nine of {{word|SIGNATURE}} and dropped only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]].
-McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as the full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when Ronan Higginson became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
+McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as the full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when [[Ronan Higginson]] became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
 ===Finals===

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in Series 65...]]
 [[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in Series 87.]]
-'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He was a risk analyst from Omagh, County Tyrone but originally from Belfast. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a Top 20 position in the Apterous Pro Ranks leaderboard.
+'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He was a risk analyst from {{w|Omagh, County Tyrone}} but originally from {{w|Belfast}}. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a Top 20 position in the Apterous Pro Ranks leaderboard.
 ==Appearances on the programme==
 ===Series 65===
-Debuting during {{w|Jeff Stelling}}'s last [[series]], McMulkin fell fourteen points short of victory to Dave Taylor but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
+Debuting during {{w|Jeff Stelling}}'s last [[series]], McMulkin fell fourteen points short of victory to eventual octochamp Dave Taylor but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
 ===Series 87 heats===
-Over eleven later and with years of practice on Apterous under his belt since then, he was allowed to return – starting his run against Peter Burke in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|107|66|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
+Over eleven later and with years of practice on Apterous under his belt since then, he was allowed to return – starting his run against Peter Burke in an all-{{w|Ireland}} affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|107|66|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
-Of particular note that in his [[Episode 7943|fifth victory]], McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest score of [[Episode 7860|154]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh victory]] also tied for the highest possible score recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 from [[Episode 6745|19 January 2018]] and [[Episode 7341|9 September 2020]] with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available [[nine-letter word]]s in that game.
+Of particular note that in his [[Episode 7943|fifth victory]], McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest score of [[Episode 7860|154]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped him to rack up that score with only {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh victory]] also tied for the highest possible score recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 from [[Episode 6745|19 January 2018]] and [[Episode 7341|9 September 2020]] with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available [[nine-letter word]]s in that game.
-After his [[Episode 7946|last heat match]] which saw him spot a seventh nine of {{word|SIGNATURE}} and dropped only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]].
+In his [[Episode 7946|eighth victory]] which saw him spot a seventh nine of {{word|SIGNATURE}} and dropped only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]].
-McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as a full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when Ronan Higginson became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
+McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as the full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when Ronan Higginson became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
 ===Finals===
-As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite of Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 to confirm his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his [[rematch]] with Peter Burke and despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory with thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him for a hotly anticipated matchup.
+As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 to confirm his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum.
 In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} in the first round. But after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin with {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}} alongside quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points (his lowest score on the show to date). McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87 and with his 2011 appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ===Finals===
-As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite of Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his [[rematch]] with Peter Burke and despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him for a hotly anticipated matchup.
+As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite of Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 to confirm his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his [[rematch]] with Peter Burke and despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory with thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him for a hotly anticipated matchup.
 In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} in the first round. But after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin with {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}} alongside quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points (his lowest score on the show to date). McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87 and with his 2011 appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Appearances on the programme==
 ===Series 65===
-Debuting during [[Jeff Stelling]]'s last [[series]], McMulkin fell fourteen points short of victory to Dave Taylor but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
+Debuting during {{w|Jeff Stelling}}'s last [[series]], McMulkin fell fourteen points short of victory to Dave Taylor but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
 ===Series 87 heats===
-Over eleven later and with years of practice on Apterous under his belt since then, he was allowed to return – this time starting his run against Peter Burke in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|107|66|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
+Over eleven later and with years of practice on Apterous under his belt since then, he was allowed to return – starting his run against Peter Burke in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|107|66|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
-Of particular note that in his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest score of [[Episode 7943|154]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh game]] also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 from [[Episode 6745|19 January 2018]] and [[Episode 7341|9 September 2020]] with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available [[nine-letter word]]s in that game.
+Of particular note that in his [[Episode 7943|fifth victory]], McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest score of [[Episode 7860|154]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh victory]] also tied for the highest possible score recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 from [[Episode 6745|19 January 2018]] and [[Episode 7341|9 September 2020]] with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available [[nine-letter word]]s in that game.
 After his [[Episode 7946|last heat match]] which saw him spot a seventh nine of {{word|SIGNATURE}} and dropped only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]].
-McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as a full-time [[presenter]].
+McMulkin was the first octochamp to be crowned with [[Colin Murray]] as a full-time [[presenter]]. McMulkin notably remained as the only octochamp of the series until late-May when Ronan Higginson became the second, which itself was a thirteen-year record low and the first in the [[new 15-round format|new 15-round era]].
 ===Finals===
-As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite of Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his [[rematch]] with Peter Burke and despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him in a hotly anticipated matchup.
+As the second seed, McMulkin returned for his quarter-final match against fellow Apterite of Dave Cappleman where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} in Round 1 to take an eighteen-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the semi-finals despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his [[rematch]] with Peter Burke and despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him for a hotly anticipated matchup.
-In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} for nine in the first round. But after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin with {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}} along with quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points (his lowest score on the show to date). McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87 and with his 2011 appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
+In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} in the first round. But after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin with {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}} alongside quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points (his lowest score on the show to date). McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87 and with his 2011 appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
 {{series runner-up|preceded_by=Edward Byrne|series=87|followed_by=Viraj Seelam}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{octostats|Runner-up|2|944|7}}
-[[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in [[Series 65]]...]]
+[[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in Series 65...]]
-[[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in [[Series 87]].]]
+[[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in Series 87.]]
-'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He was a risk analyst from Omagh, County Tyrone, but originally from Belfast. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
+'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He was a risk analyst from Omagh, County Tyrone, but originally from Belfast. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous Pro Ranks leaderboard.
 ==Appearances on the programme==
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 [[Category:Teapot owners]]
 [[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in [[Series 65]]...]]
 [[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in [[Series 87]].]]
-'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He is a risk analyst, originally from Belfast but now of Omagh, County Tyrone. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
+'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He was a risk analyst from Omagh, County Tyrone, but originally from Belfast. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
 ==Appearances on the programme==
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ===[[Series 87]] heats===
-However, just under 11 and a half years later and with years of practice on [[Apterous]] now under his belt, he was allowed to return – this time starting his run against seven-time winner [[Peter Burke]] in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|66|107|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's [[octochamp]]dom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
+Just under 11 and a half years later and with years of practice on [[Apterous]] now under his belt, he was allowed to return – this time starting his run against seven-time winner [[Peter Burke]] in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|107|66|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's [[octochamp]]dom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
 Of particular note, in his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest-ever score of [[Episode 7943|154]], sharing it with [[Tom Stevenson]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only the word {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh game]] also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 of episodes [[Episode 6745|6745]] and [[Episode 7341|7341]], with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available nine-letter words in that heat.
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Qualifying for the finals as the second seed, McMulkin returned for a [[Episode 8045|quarter-final]] against fellow [[Apterous|Apterite]], [[Dave Cappleman]], where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} for nine in Round 1 to take an 18-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin, and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas, with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the [[Episode 8049|semi-finals]], despite neither player being able to solve the [[conundrum]]. In his [[rematch]] with [[Peter Burke]], despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive [[century]] and storm into the [[Episode 8050|grand final]] where [[Ronan Higginson]] lay in waiting for him in a hotly anticipated matchup.
-In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} for nine in the first round. However, after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin on {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}}, along with quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson, as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points, his lowest score on the show to date. McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87, and with his earlier appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
+In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} for nine in the first round. However, after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin on {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}}, along with quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson, as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points, his lowest score on the show to date. McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in [[Series 87]], and with his [[Series 65]] appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
-{{series runner-up|preceded_by=Edward Byrne|series=87}}
+{{series runner-up|preceded_by=Edward Byrne|series=87|followed_by=Viraj Seelam}}
 ==Episodes==

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:McMulkin, Cillian}}
 [[Category:Contestants in Series 65]]
-[[Category:Returning Contestants]]
+[[Category:Returning contestants]]
 [[Category:Contestants in Series 87]]
 [[Category:Finalists]]
 [[Category:Teapot owners]]
 [[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in [[Series 65]]...]]
 [[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in [[Series 87]].]]
-'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87]]. He is a Risk Analyst, originally from Belfast but now of Omagh, County Tyrone. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
+'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He is a risk analyst, originally from Belfast but now of Omagh, County Tyrone. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
 ==Appearances on the programme==
-===Series 65===
+===[[Series 87]] heats===
-Debuting midway through [[Jeff Stelling]]'s last series, McMulkin fell 14 points short of victory to eventual [[octochamp]] [[Dave Taylor]], but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
+Of particular note, in his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest-ever score of [[Episode 7943|154]], sharing it with [[Tom Stevenson]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only the word {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh game]] also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 of episodes [[Episode 6745|6745]] and [[Episode 7341|7341]], with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available nine-letter words in that heat.
-===Series 87===
+After his [[Episode 7946|last game]], which saw him spot a seventh nine {{word|SIGNATURE}} and drop only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]]. McMulkin qualified to return for the series finals in June and notably remained the only octochamp of the series until late May, when [[Ronan Higginson]] became the second, which itself was a 13-year record low.
 ===Finals===
-Qualifying for the finals as the second seed, McMulkin returned for a Quarter-Final against fellow [[Apterous|Apterite]] [[Dave Cappleman]], where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} for 9 in R1 to take an 18-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from Cillian, and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}}, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas, with {{word|EUCRITES}} in R13 confirming his victory and advancement to the semi-finals, despite neither player being able to solve the [[conundrum]]. In his rematch with Peter Burke, despite an early stumble, Cillian eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive [[century]] and storm into the grand-final where [[Ronan Higginson]] lay in waiting for him in a hotly anticipated matchup.
+In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} for nine in the first round. However, after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin on {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}}, along with quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson, as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points, his lowest score on the show to date. McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87, and with his earlier appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
-{{series runner-up|preceded_by=Ed Byrne|series=86}}
+{{series runner-up|preceded_by=Edward Byrne|series=87}}
 ==Episodes==
 {{episode table}}
-{{ep | 5321 | 31/08/2011 | P |[[Dave Taylor]]| 99 - 85 |Cillian McMulkin|[[John Inverdale]]|[[Susie Dent]]|143}}
+{{ep | 5321 | 31/08/2011 | P |[[Dave Taylor]]|99 - 85|Cillian McMulkin|[[John Inverdale]]|[[Susie Dent]]|143}}
 {{ep | 7939 | 25/01/2023 | P |[[Peter Burke]]|66 – 107|Cillian McMulkin|[[Stephen K Amos|Stephen K. Amos]]|Susie Dent|134}}
 {{ep | 7940 | 26/01/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|109 – 51|[[Cheryl Perkins]]|Stephen K. Amos|Susie Dent|130}}
@@ Line 38: / Line 34: @@
 {{ep | 7946 | 03/02/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|121 – 35|[[Alison Adams]]|Justin Moorhouse|Susie Dent|122}}
 {{ep | 8045 | 22/06/2023 | QF |Cillian McMulkin|109 – 81|[[Dave Cappleman]]|[[Marcus Brigstocke]]|Susie Dent|137}}
-{{ep | 8049 | 28/06/2023 | SF |Cillian McMulkin|122 – 41|[[Peter Burke]]|[[Maggie Aderin-Pocock]]|Susie Dent|153}}
+{{ep | 8049 | 28/06/2023 | SF |Cillian McMulkin|122 – 41|Peter Burke|[[Maggie Aderin-Pocock]]|Susie Dent|153}}
 {{ep | 8050 | 29/06/2023 | GF |[[Ronan Higginson]]|150 – 83|Cillian McMulkin|Maggie Aderin-Pocock|Susie Dent|155}}
 {{episode table end}}