Due to persistent vandalism, account creation has been suspended. If you would like an account, please contact Charlie Reams on Apterous.
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 | ||