Episode 8539

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Episode 8539 was broadcast on 16 June 2025, as part of Series 91.

Mark Vince played Mel Smith, with Mel Smith winning 84 – 66. The Dictionary Corner guest was Ricky Wilson, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Note 1: The solution in Round 9 was actually provided by Vince, as he mistakenly declared 871 when he had actually got the target.

Note 2: It was not noted in Round 11 that Mark's offering of foregos ☓ was actually invalid. although it made no difference to the overall score.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Mark Vince	Score	Mel Smith	Others	Max.
1	MHTPIAEOS	OPIATES	7 – 0	PATHOS	APOTHEMS, MATESHIP*, OPSIMATH*, SHIPMATE*	8
2	TEUCRNAIB	CABINET	14 – 7	CURTAIN	INCUBATE, URBANITE*	16
3	25 9 7 2 10 8 → 761	763 (((2 × 10) + 8) × 25) + (9 × 7)	21 – 7	—	RR: 761 = ((((7 + 8) × 25) + 10) × 2) − 9	26
TTT	GREENLAD	Was the famous German golfer a little worse for wear?			LANGERED
4	TGUABWIOT	AGOUTI	27 – 7	ABOUT	OUTWAIT*, TUGBOAT	33
5	RMGLIEAOS	REALISM	27 – 25	GLAMORISE		51
6	50 25 8 7 2 6 → 309	309 (6 × 50) + 7 + 2	37 – 35	309 (6 × 50) + 7 + 2		61
7	ZRLPAEOEI	POLARIZE	45 – 43	POLARIZE		69
8	NDCAEYUSR	DANCERS	52 – 43	SCARED	ARDENCY*, ASUNDER*, CARNEYS*, CRUSADE*, DANSEUR*, DASYURE*, DURANCE*, UNCARED*, UNCASED*, UNREADY	76
9	75 7 9 5 6 7 → 867	871 ☓	52 – 43	—	RR: 867 = ((5 + 7) × 75) − (7 × 6) + 9*	86
TTT	BETALIVE	It should really have been avoided.			EVITABLE
10	TGIUVDALE	VAULTED	59 – 43	VALUED	DIVULGE*, GUILTED*, LIGATED, VULGATE*	93
11	RNSFOEOEG	FOREGOS**	59 – 51	FOREGONE	FOREGOES	101
12	NLAICSOHR	ANCHORS	66 – 58	SCHOLAR	CLARIONS*	109
13	WTNMEAOUE	omentae ☓	66 – 64	AMOUNT	OMENTA, OUTMAN*, TONEME*, TOWNEE*	115
14	100 50 10 6 5 9 → 465	465 ☓	66 – 74	465 (9 × 50) + 10 + 5		125
15	SCORNGILL		66 – 84	SCROLLING (9.75 seconds)		135