This episode marked the debut of Dr Tom Crawford as the show's substitute arithmetician as well as the start of his three-week on-screen stint, replacing Rachel Riley while she worked on another project. As this was also the first unusual change on Countdown since 12 December 2022 when Vick Hope stood in for Susie Dent, due to Dent feeling ill at the time of that episode.
C1: Champion Christine Smith (7 wins.)
C2: Challenger Bill Elliott.
DC: Susie Dent and Stephen Fry.
TC: Dr Tom Crawford
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: R B A O S R I T O
R02: G M A J G U R S E
R03: 50, 2, 1, 7, 10, 2. Target: 982.
TTT: LAIDBEER - ""This applies more to the white swan than the black bull", said Marc. "
R04: F D R I C O A N L
R05: S H U I T D O N A
R06: 25, 3, 6, 8, 2, 7. Target: 561.
R07: L C E U N Y E Q N
R08: P S N I L M A T I
R09: 25, 8, 5, 2, 7, 2. Target: 760.
TTT: SITSAGES - "Become windy when you clap eyes on the London arena."
R10: P M S A E D K P A
R11: T N I O T R E C P
R12: F G U V R U A T O
R13: D G O E S R A B V
R14: 3, 8, 2, 9, 7, 4. Target: 114.
R15: D O C T O M E R A (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Round 1: R B A O S R I T O
Christine: ARBORIST (8)
Bill: rasor
DC: ARBORIST (8) AORIST (6)
Score: 8–0 (max 8)
Round 2: G M A J G U R S E
Christine: MUGGERS (7)
Bill: MUGGERS (7)
DC: MUGGERS (7) SMUGGER (7)
OT: GAUGERS (7) JAGGERS (7)
Score: 15–7 (max 15)
Round 3: 50, 2, 1, 7, 10, 2. Target: 982.
C1: 982. (50 × 10 − (7 + 2)) × 2 (10)
C2: 983.
Score: 25–7 (max 25)
Teatime teaser: LAIDBEER -> RIDEABLE
Round 4: F D R I C O A N L
Christine: FLORID (6)
Bill: DRAIN (5)
DC: CORDIAL (7)
OT: FLORICAN (8) IRONCLAD (8)
Score: 31–7 (max 33)
Round 5: S H U I T D O N A
Christine: ASTOUND (7)
Bill: SHUNT (5)
DC: HANDOUTS (8) THOUSAND (8)
OT: DIANTHUS (8)
Score: 38–7 (max 41)
Round 6: 25, 3, 6, 8, 2, 7. Target: 561.
C1: -
C2: 565. Mistake in working.
TC: 561. (25 × 8 − (6 + 7)) × 3 (10)
Score: 38–7 (max 51)
Round 7: L C E U N Y E Q N
Christine: QUEENLY (7)
Bill: QUEEN (5)
DC: QUEENLY (7)
Score: 45–7 (max 58)
Round 8: P S N I L M A T I
Christine: IMPLANTS (8)
Bill: SPINAL (6)
DC: PALMIST (7) ALPINIST (8)
OT: PINTAILS (8) TAILSPIN (8)
Score: 53–7 (max 66)
Round 9: 25, 8, 5, 2, 7, 2. Target: 760.
C1: 758. (7 − 2 ÷ 2) × 5 × 25 + 8 (7)
C2: 765.
TC: 760. ((2 + 2) × 25 − 5) × 8 (10)
Score: 60–7 (max 76)
Teatime teaser: SITSAGES -> GASSIEST
Round 10: P M S A E D K P A
Christine: MASKED (6)
Bill: MAPPED (6)
DC: SAPPED (6) DAMASK (6)
OT: MEDAKAS (7)
Score: 66–13 (max 83)
Round 11: T N I O T R E C P
Christine: CONTRITE (8)
Bill: POINTER (7)
DC: CORNETTI (8)
OT: ENTOPTIC (8) ENTROPIC (8) INCEPTOR (8)
Score: 74–13 (max 91)
Round 12: F G U V R U A T O
Christine: RAGOUT (6)
Bill: GRAFT (5)
DC: FUGATO (6)
OT: FAVOUR (6)
Score: 80–13 (max 97)
Round 13: D G O E S R A B V
Christine: BADGERS (7)
Bill: BADGES (6)
DC: ADVERBS (7) BODGER (6)
OT: AGBEROS (7) BODEGAS (7) BODGERS (7) BORAGES (7) BRAVOES (7)
Score: 87–13 (max 104)
Round 14: 3, 8, 2, 9, 7, 4. Target: 114.
C1: -
C2: -
TC: 114. (7 + 4 + 8) × 3 × 2 (10)
Score: 87–13 (max 114)
Round 15: D O C T O M E R A
C1 buzzes on 14.75 seconds to say MOTORCADE which is correct.
Final Score: 97–13 (max 124)