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

Episode 495

From Countdown

Episode 495 was broadcast on 2 February 1987, as a special episode extended to 45 minutes to celebrate Countdown's 500th show (although the actual 500th game would not be broadcast for a week).

Bill Tidy, aided by Mark Nyman, Brian Hudson, Peter Evans and Darryl Francis played Gyles Brandreth, aided by Clive Freedman, Michael Wylie, Joyce Cansfield and Harvey Freeman, with Bill Tidy winning 41 – 32. The lexicographer was Della Thompson.

There were no Dictionary Corner guests in this episode, although the audience was made up of former contestants and DC guests including John Junkin, Steve Jones, Eve Pollard, Ken Bruce and Lee Peck. Also present were Mike Bolland (Channel 4 commissioning editor for light entertainment), Bertrand Renard from Des chiffres et des lettres, and Peter Newby (word game expert and co-author of the first of the Countdown puzzle books).

Renard offered the solution to Round 3.

This was the only episode to be broadcast using the unique format of LLNLLNLLC.

Rounds

Rnd Selection Bill & Mark Score Gyles & Clive Others Max.
1 AIYLVRESY VIRELAYS 8 – 0 SILVERY 8
2 AORGDPITR AIRPORT 15 – 0 PARROT AIRDROP*, PAROTID* 15
Rnd Selection Bill & Brian Score Gyles & Michael Others Max.
3 2 6 8 3 7 4 → 775 775 ☓ 15 – 0

CV: 775 = 4 × 3 × (6 + 2) × 8 + 7

25
4 AUGYKTORA gyrator ☓ 15 – 6 RAGOUT AUTARKY* 32
Rnd Selection Bill & Peter Score Gyles & Joyce Others Max.
5 TSHOUWHJE SHOUT/JOUST 20 – 11 HOUSE ETHOS*, HOWES*, SHOTE*, SOUTH*, THOSE*, THOUS*, THEWS*, WHETS*, WHOSE* 37
6 100 10 8 2 1 3 → 239 239
2 × 100 + 3 × 10 + 8 + 1
30 – 21 239
2 × 100 + 3 × 10 + 8 + 1


47
Rnd Selection Bill & Darryl Score Gyles & Harvey Others Max.
7 NLWBOAENF FLOWN/BLOWN 35 – 26 FLOWN/BLOWN ALONE*, ANOLE*, BEANO*, BELOW*, BONNE*, BOWEL*, ELBOW*, FABLE*, FELON*, LOWAN*, NOBLE* 52
8 STPIOIWSU SPOUTS 41 – 32 POSITS PISTOU*, PTOSIS*, STOUPS* 58
Rnd Selection Bill Tidy Score Gyles Brandreth Others Max.
9 ILLGBLYSE billglyes ☓
(14 seconds)
41 – 32 billandgyles/sybil ☓
(1, 29 second)
GYLESBILL 68