Spoilers for Friday 28th March 2025 (Series 91, Heat 60)

[Martin Hurst]

Was that the second lowest combined score for a 15-rounder? I can only find one lower at a glance.

[Philip A]

To be fair, champion Nick won every letters round!

But I think it goes to show that the numbers really are a game within a game.

[Stewart Gordon]

"You picked the fine time to collect small guitars."
Does anybody get this clue? "Small guitars" is obvious but the rest of the clue? Colin didn't stop to explain it or seek an explanation.

And I'd thought it was spelt UKULELES....

[Gavin Chipper]

"You picked the fine time to collect small guitars."
Does anybody get this clue? "Small guitars" is obvious but the rest of the clue? Colin didn't stop to explain it or seek an explanation.

And I'd thought it was spelt UKULELES....

I think UKULELES is the "main" spelling but with the E is also allowed (in the Countdown dictionary). I can't make sense of the "fine time" bit either, unless it's just there as filler.

[Philip A]

"You picked the fine time to collect small guitars."
Does anybody get this clue? "Small guitars" is obvious but the rest of the clue? Colin didn't stop to explain it or seek an explanation.

And I'd thought it was spelt UKULELES....

I think UKULELES is the "main" spelling but with the E is also allowed (in the Countdown dictionary). I can't make sense of the "fine time" bit either, unless it's just there as filler.

If you Google the clue, you’ll find it refers to a lyric in Lucille, a song by Kenny Rogers which was a UK Number 1 in 1977.

The song is often played on the ukulele but Rogers isn’t actually known to have played it.

To confirm both spellings are indeed correct (sometimes the case with loanwords)

Definition of ukulele in English:

ukulele
Pronunciation: /ˌjuːkəˈleɪli/
(also ukelele)

NOUN

A small four-stringed guitar of Hawaiian origin.
Example sentences
Origin

Late 19th century: from Hawaiian, literally 'jumping flea'.

[Gavin Chipper]

OK thanks. I did Google it but it came up with other songs that didn't seem relevant and I didn't do a full research project.