Episode 8696

Episode 8696 was broadcast on 4 February 2026, as part of Series 93.

Callum Ridley played James Massey, with Callum Ridley winning 83 – 51. The Dictionary Corner guest was Dr Ranj Singh, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Callum Ridley	Score	James Massey	Others	Max.
1	DRNCAEOEB	CRANED	0 – 7	BROADEN	BACONER, BANDORE, BARCODE, BROCADE, CARBENE, DRACONE, ENCODER, ENCORED, ENROBED, REDBONE	7
2	WISATERUP	WIRETAPS	8 – 7	WAITERS		15
3	100 1 2 7 10 4 → 115	115 10 + 4 + 1 + 100	18 – 17	115 10 + 4 + 1 + 100		25
TTT	NONMANIC	It's not manic, but there's a bit of it in a swirl.			CINNAMON
4	LITAFESIN	INFLATES	26 – 25	INFLATES	ALIENIST, FINALISE, FINALIST, LITANIES*	33
5	GSDRAOUAJ	GUARDS	32 – 31	GUARDS	JAGUARS, SAGUARO*	40
6	8 2 10 3 5 4 → 714	714 (5 + 4) x 8 x 10 − 3 x 2	42 – 31	717		50
7	RPNKEEALS	plankers ☓	42 – 31	plankers ☓	ALKENES, KERNELS, LEAKERS, LEAPERS, PLANERS, PLEASER, PRESALE, RANKLES, RELAPSE, REPEALS, REPLANS, SNEAKER, SPANKER, SPARKLE, SPEAKER*	57
8	COHIMETUN	TOUCHE	48 – 31	chimento ☓	CENTIMO, COUTHIE, MUNCHIE, TONEMIC*	64
9	25 100 50 75 3 7 → 674	675 100 x 7 − 25	55 – 38	675 100 x 7 − 25	RR: 674 = (100 − 3) x 7 − (75 + 50) ÷ 25	74
TTT	SEEKCOSY	Might you often see these fish in pairs.			SOCKEYES
10	MATOSILEF	LOAMIEST	63 – 38	METALS	FLAMIEST, FLOATIES, FOAMIEST, FOLIATES*	82
11	NXRBOUETC	COUNTER	70 – 45	TROUNCE	BOUNCER*, RECOUNT	89
12	MAROTIGAP	IMPORT	76 – 51	IMPORT	AIRPOT, APORIA, ARMPIT, IMPART, OPTIMA, PARAMO, PATRIA, RAGTOP, TAMARI	95
13	HNSDEIARP	parished ☓	76 – 51	headpins ☓	PINHEADS, RAPHIDES, SPRAINED	103
14	4 7 9 3 8 5 → 182	180 (9 + 5 + 4) x (7 + 3)	83 – 51	☓	RR: 182 = (4 x 9 − (8 − 3 + 5)) x 7	113
15	WORDINEED		83 – 51		EIDERDOWN	123