Episode 8724
From Countdown
Episode 8724 was broadcast on 16 March 2026, as part of Series 93.
Sam Wilders played Alison Andrews, with Sam Wilders winning 88 – 81. The Dictionary Corner guest was Nicki Chapman, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.
NOTE 1: In Round 2, Andrews was not asked to spell her word, thus she could have had FLAIR or FLARE.
NOTE 2: This was the first episode to be filmed in 2026. Additionally, the Teatime Teasers have reverted back to nine letter words.
Rounds
| Rnd | Selection | Sam Wilders | Score | Alison Andrews | Others | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RDGPIOAOE | goopier ☓ | 0 – 6 | PAIRED | PODGIER | 7 |
| 2 | NRFLAIEBA | BRAIN | 5 – 11 | FLAIR | ABELIAN*, FRIABLE* | 14 |
| 3 | 50 75 25 100 4 8 → 234 | 233
4 × 50 + 25 + 8 |
12 – 11 | 228 |
RR: 234 = (75 + 8) × 4 − 100 + 50 ÷ 25 |
24 |
| TTT | HOLDCONES | See if you can make "canine" letter word. | SCHNOODLE | |||
| 4 | CSRUODEGI | GROUSED | 19 – 18 | CRUISED | SCOURGED | 32 |
| 5 | SHLAEITMS | HASSLE | 25 – 18 | malties ☓ | SHALIEST* | 40 |
| 6 | 25 50 4 9 6 6 → 262 | 262
6 × 50 − 25 − 9 − 4 |
35 – 18 | 261 |
|
50 |
| 7 | DVSLOEAEP | PEDALOS | 42 – 25 | PLEASED | DEVELOPS, PEDALOES | 58 |
| 8 | QTROASUDE | TORQUES | 49 – 32 | ROASTED | EQUATORS, QUAESTOR* | 66 |
| 9 | 100 75 25 50 5 9 → 367 | 366
5 × 75 − 9 |
56 – 32 | 372 |
Best: 367 = 75 × 5 − 50 × (25 − 9) ÷ 100 |
76 |
| TTT | POODLEPAW | When the poodle offers a paw, he's treated to a bit of cheese. | APPLEWOOD | |||
| 10 | HRSPAEINR | HARPIES | 63 – 39 | SHARPEN | HARPERS*, HARRIES, HEPARIN*, HERNIAS*, NEARISH*, PARRIES, PRAISER*, RAPIERS*, RASPIER*, REPAIRS*, SEPHIRA*, SHARPER*, SHARPIE* | 83 |
| 11 | TNGTOEAVL | NOVATE | 63 – 46 | TANGELO | GAVOTTE, VOLTAGE | 90 |
| 12 | IEOTRCANE | CREATION | 71 – 54 | REACTION | ACTIONER*, CAROTENE, CREATINE*, ERECTION*, INCREATE*, NEOTERIC* | 98 |
| 13 | LWNTOJUEI | ELUTION | 78 – 61 | OUTLINE | TOWLINE | 105 |
| 14 | 75 100 2 8 6 10 → 877 | 877
100 × 8 + 75 + 2 |
88 – 71 | 877
100 × 8 + 75 + 2 |
|
115 |
| 15 | NIGGLENET | 88 – 81 | NEGLIGENT
(1.5 seconds) |
125 | ||