Chris Cummins

Chris Cummins.

Chris Cummins was an octochamp in and winner of Series 50.

A Cambridge mathematics undergraduate, Cummins made his debut on 21st July 2003, scoring a solid 95 to get into the champion's chair. He cruised through the next seven games with little opposition, scoring six more centuries and an impressive 123 against Richard Redman. This game was particular memorable for Cummins' double niner of GASOMETER/MEGASTORE, along with DEPILATES. The quarter final was another one-sided affair, as Cummins posted 107 to Brian McKeon's 58, before despatching Adam Laws with similar ease. The final, against Eamonn Timmins, was his first serious challenge, but winning spots of HOMAGES, CENSORED and TADPOLES opened a substantial lead by the end of the second half, which also included 18-pointer REGIMENTS for both players. Dropping only one point in the third half, Cummins ran out comfortable winner by 122 to 86.

Like all series champions, he was invited back for Championship of Champions XII, and was drawn against Matthew Shore. Both players made good finds in BALLETIC and ODDMENTS, despite missing NOURISHES, and Cummins was two points ahead going into the conundrum. However Shore solved RUMPIZETA in 2 seconds to snatch the game, with the final score at 109-101. This was the ninth century of Cummins' career, in which he had never scored below 91, but his run was over.

Preceded by John Davies

Series winner Series 50

Followed by Stewart Holden

Episodes

#	Date	Type	Contestant 1	Score	Contestant 2	Presenters				Guest	Lex	Max
3527	21/07/2003	P	Jim Cantle	81 – 95	Chris Cummins	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Wilson	Susie Dent
3528	22/07/2003	P	Chris Cummins	105 – 47	May Fullegar	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Wilson	Susie Dent
3529	23/07/2003	P	Chris Cummins	103 – 69	Graham Tonkin	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Wilson	Susie Dent
3530	29/07/2003	P	Chris Cummins	108 – 38	Andrea Needham	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3531	30/07/2003	P	Chris Cummins	117 – 32	Ron Squire	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3532	5/08/2003	P	Chris Cummins	91 – 63	June Knott	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3533	6/08/2003	P	Chris Cummins	123 – 32	Richard Redman	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3534	8/08/2003	P	Chris Cummins	116 – 65	Peter Twydell	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3608	11/12/2003	QF	Brian McKeon	58 – 107	Chris Cummins	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Tim Rice	Susie Dent
3612	17/12/2003	SF	Adam Laws	59 – 97	Chris Cummins	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
3614	19/12/2003	GF	Chris Cummins	122 – 86	Eamonn Timmins	Richard Whiteley	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Richard Digance	Susie Dent
4120	7/06/2006	CP	Matthew Shore	109 – 101	Chris Cummins	Des Lynam	Carol Vorderman				Lucy Summers	Ann Widdecombe	Susie Dent