Episode 8579

Episode 8579 was broadcast on 11 August 2025, as part of Series 92.

Helen Ross played Donald Elsom, with Helen Ross winning 71 – 32. The Dictionary Corner guest was Dr Ranj Singh, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

At 96 years of age, Elsom is the oldest contestant to appear in the history of the show.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Helen Ross	Score	Donald Elsom	Others	Max.
1	NFELNAMSE	FLAMES	6 – 0	NAMES	ENAMELS, FEMALES, FLAMENS, LENSMAN, LENSMEN*	7
2	VDLOUNRET	TRUNDLE	13 – 0	LOUDER	LOUVRED, ROUNDEL, UNLOVED, VOLUTED*	14
3	25 50 8 10 5 2 → 791	790 2 × 8 × 50 − 10	20 – 0	☓	RR: 791 = (10 + 5) × 50 + 25 + 8 × 2	24
TTT	MEGAFLINT	Thoughts of soft fruit existed in your imagination.			FIGMENTAL
4	RATPEDYIE	PIRATED	27 – 7	PARTIED	DIETARY, DIPTERA, PEATIER, PREDATE, RETYPED, TAPERED*	31
5	STIUAGRHP	GRAPHS	33 – 7	PARTS	UPRIGHTS	39
6	100 50 1 7 8 1 → 490	493 (8 + 1 + 1) × 50 − 7	40 – 14	493 (8 + 1 + 1) × 50 − 7	RR: 490 = (7 − 1 − 1) × (100 + 8) − 50	49
7	TLPOEIRNS	POLITER	40 – 22	POINTERS	PORNIEST, PROTEINS, REPOINTS, SPLINTER	57
8	RZTOAENLO	tazer ☓	40 – 22	looters ☓	ORTOLAN	64
9	25 1 7 8 4 10 → 378	378 (8 + 7) × 25 + 4 − 1	50 – 22	—		74
TTT	HEADYWOES	You spot Hank — it must be something in your makeup.			EYESHADOW
10	WDMEOISCE	COMEDIES	58 – 22	COSIED		82
11	KVUIMNSEH	hunkies ☓	58 – 27	MINUS	INHUMES, MIKVEHS*	89
12	GRDOEMFIU	MORGUE	64 – 27	GORED	DEIFORM, FIGURED, FIREDOG	96
13	TBAESANLR	STABLER	71 – 27	ABATES	ANTBEARS, ARBALEST*, RATSBANE	104
14	50 25 2 9 5 1 → 758	—	71 – 32	750 (25 + 50) × (9 + 1)	RR: 758 = (25 + 50) × 2 × 5 + 9 − 1	114
15	THEYSAVOR		71 – 32		OVERHASTY	124