Episode 8798

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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 had 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 had been recorded.

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

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

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