8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 29

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 29
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Series information
First episode	24 December 2025
Last episode	30 January 2026
Highest score	74 (Jon Richardson & Judi Love)
Number of episodes	4

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 29 was a series of four special episodes that began on 24 December 2025 with a Christmas Special and ended on 30 January 2026.

In November 2025, it was announced that Rob Beckett would assume the role of the permanent Team Captain opposite that of Jon Richardson, taking over from Sean Lock more than four years after his death. Additionally, it was also revealed that Judi Love would also appear as a regular panellist.

Starting from this Series, John Pohlhammer's voice (which had been in place since the very first episode in 2012) would no longer be heard to introduce the celebrities. Instead, the host Jimmy Carr now announces them to the audience directly, with all of them walking up on stage. Additionally, the ODP would now come into official, permanent usage on the show, replacing the OED3 which is now used for decorative purposes on set.

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
Cats173	24/12/2025	S	Judi Love & Rob Beckett	44+ – 43*	Jon Richardson & Daisy May Cooper	Jimmy Carr	Rachel Riley					Katie Norris	Susie Dent	85
Cats174	16/01/2026	S	Katherine Parkinson, John Tothill & Rob Beckett	17 – 74++	Jon Richardson & Judi Love	Jimmy Carr	Rachel Riley					Spencer Jones	Susie Dent	80
Cats175	23/01/2026	S	Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Sam Nicoresti & Rob Beckett	47 – 50	Jon Richardson & Roisin Conaty	Jimmy Carr	Rachel Riley					Lou Wall	Susie Dent	70
Cats176	30/01/2026	S	Miles Jupp & Rob Beckett	–	Jon Richardson, Dane Buckley & Judi Love	Jimmy Carr	Rachel Riley					Róisín and Chiara	Susie Dent

* Includes 5 points from a bonus game + Includes 32 points from the conundrum + Includes 29 points from the conundrum