Spoilers For Monday January 25th 2016

[James Robinson]

So, we've now finished the Champion of Champions festivities for probably another 3 years minimum, but luckily with COLIN this weekend, the level of skill will hopefully be maintained there.

But, in the meantime on screen, it's time for Series 74 to begin.

It seemed like 6 weeks ago when we saw Tim Down win his first show, and it was actually. So, now it's his first game in the champions' chair. Will he be the first octochamp of 2016, possibly........

Journalist and newsreader Nicholas Owen makes his first appearance in DC since Series 62 six years ago this week.

Join Andy for the recap later.

[Tony Atkins]

Oh dear they missed a chance to mention it is Burns' Night as PLAIDED was there as an alt in R13.

[Steven M. McCann]

UNSPARED or UNDRAPES in the PANDERS round, Champion Nick looks vulnerable, I would be amazed if he ends up an Octuchamp.

[Johnny Canuck]

Champion Nick looks vulnerable, I would be amazed if he ends up an Octuchamp.

Me too, especially as he lost his first game.

[Steven M. McCann]

LOL I meant Tim of course, but my Octuchamp comment still stands.

[Gavin Chipper]

I think the second 4-large pick was a mistake as he had a decent lead at the time. It very nearly cost him.

[Zarte Siempre]

UNSPARED or UNDRAPES in the PANDERS round, Champion Nick looks vulnerable, I would be amazed if he ends up an Octuchamp.

You playing with the Touchy Words dictionary again? cause those sure as hell ent in ours.

[Johnny Canuck]

I'll bet Hassan Mumin either enjoyed today's conundrum scramble or was seriously freaked out by it.

[Steven M. McCann]

Got it in one, Zarte, the Touchy Words dictionary has my vocabulary damaged beyond repair (as regards Countdown) on the plus side I'm still the number 1 Touchy Words player!

[Philip Wilson]

Having now missed it twice in a few days I need to write down "ugliest + o = eulogist" 10 times before CoBristol!

[Dan McColm]

Having now missed it twice in a few days I need to write down "ugliest + o = eulogist" 10 times before CoBristol!

Yeah me too

[Philip Wilson]

Having now missed it twice in a few days I need to write down "ugliest + o = eulogist" 10 times before CoBristol!

Yeah me too

Lol, oops, sorry

[Tim Down]

I think the second 4-large pick was a mistake as he had a decent lead at the time. It very nearly cost him.

I disagree. I was always backing myself on 4-large and adding 10 points to my lead at that stage, which nearly happened, would have made it difficult for Nick to come back from. I was very nervous for that game, the first one after a 6-week break between recordings in which I'd built up pressure on myself, hence the freeze when trying to remember my solution (which was essentially the same as Rachel's).