Countdown | Series 87 Grand Final | Episode 8050
This episode was (kindly) donated by Chloe Jones.
Broadcast on Thursday 29th June 2023.
Broadcast on Thursday 29th June 2023.
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TVTranscript
00:00This programme contains strong language and adult humour.
00:05APPLAUSE
00:31Hello, everybody.
00:33Welcome to the series final of season 87 of Countdown.
00:37Months of duels, thousands of letters and numbers have come and gone.
00:42And it comes down to two players
00:45who could grace a Champion of Champions final,
00:48let alone a series final.
00:50Now, let me rephrase that.
00:52Probably will one day grace a Champion of Champions final
00:56in the future.
00:58But there's a simple mathematical equation here.
01:01Ronan Higginson and Killian McMullin makes two.
01:04And we've only won trophy.
01:06And I don't need Rachel Riley to tell me
01:08that two under one simply does not go.
01:11Rachel, now we only have these two left.
01:14Let's be honest.
01:16Killian was already Champion, Ronan had won two games,
01:19and we walked out of this studio and you said to me,
01:22what a final this is likely to be at the end of the season.
01:25And that's no disrespect to anyone else.
01:27They're just special.
01:29I can't call it. Normally, I would have a favourite.
01:32But today, I think if these two played ten games,
01:34I think it could be five apiece.
01:36Yeah.
01:37I don't know.
01:39I think I predict that they'll both score a century.
01:43I mean, that's a safe prediction, isn't it?
01:46But that's the level we're playing at.
01:48When has anyone ever said, yeah, that's a safe prediction,
01:51they'll both get over 100 in a final.
01:53I mean, it's something else.
01:55So we'll just enjoy it, eh? Can we do that?
01:57We will. We will, for sure. OK.
01:59Well, listen, ever since these two arrived on the scene,
02:02we actually haven't been able to find a company
02:04that are willing to insure Susie Dent's dictionary.
02:07It's just too dangerous now.
02:09So our G of the D Susie Dent is here to be wowed again.
02:13For sure.
02:14And alongside her, someone who loves talking about stars,
02:17but as we know, she's a genuine star herself,
02:19Maggie Adderham-Polk.
02:22So, let's introduce our number one seed.
02:26Just 17 years old,
02:28he's been wanting to apply to being Countdown since the age of five.
02:33Had we have let him, I think he probably would have won it.
02:39Ronan the Hurricane Higginson is here,
02:41a brilliant violin player,
02:43but looking to add this Countdown string to his bow.
02:46How are you feeling, young man?
02:48Part of me wants to fall asleep right now
02:50and just totally get away from all this,
02:52but at the same time, I also want to try and give it my best.
02:55But I'm just really pleased I've got this far.
02:57The trophy's staring right at both of you, which is daunting,
03:00but if you look just beyond the trophy,
03:02you see mothers and sisters and wives and family.
03:07That's the only bit you need to look at.
03:09It's just another show. Ronan, best of luck to you.
03:12You're taking on our number two seed,
03:14Cillian McMulcan, the incredible mulk.
03:17Three nine-letter words in the semi-final.
03:20He had the joint highest single score in the history of Countdown
03:24on his way to becoming an OctoChamp,
03:26but we start at nil today.
03:28It's an old cliche, none of that matters at all.
03:31How are you feeling?
03:32Feeling calm.
03:33I actually kind of feel like the underdog here,
03:35so not to put the pressure on Ronan or anything.
03:38I think you were trying exactly to put the pressure on him.
03:41But again, it comes back to what we were alluding to
03:43at the start of the show.
03:44For you to be a number two seed is ridiculous.
03:47This is a clash of the titans.
03:49OK, Ronan and Cillian, we just can't wait to watch.
03:53Good luck to both of you.
03:59The higher seed gets his under way, that's Ronan Higginson.
04:02So, letters.
04:04Good afternoon, Rachel.
04:05Good afternoon, Ronan.
04:06Start with a vowel, please.
04:07Good luck, you two.
04:08Start the final with O.
04:11And another.
04:15And another.
04:18A consonant.
04:22Another.
04:24Third.
04:27Fourth.
04:30Vowel.
04:33And a consonant, please.
04:35Fairly decent start.
04:37A final B.
04:39At home and in the studio, let's play Final Countdown.
04:44MUSIC
04:48MUSIC
05:15Ronan?
05:16Nine.
05:17Shall we do away with the clock?
05:19I feel like it's just getting in the way of the game.
05:21Ronan, the nine.
05:22Ignorable.
05:23Cillian, the nine.
05:24Ignorable.
05:25You cannot ignore that.
05:30It seems, Susie and Maggie, the nerves are getting to them.
05:3718 points each to start!
05:41Yes, we had that too.
05:42But you can have regional for eight if you would like it.
05:45Very regional word after we've had it.
05:47Ignorable.
05:4818 points each.
05:49Second letters round.
05:51Cillian McMulcan.
05:52Afternoon, Rachel.
05:53Afternoon, Cillian.
05:54Can I start with a consonant, please?
05:56You can.
05:57S.
05:58And another.
06:00M.
06:01And a third.
06:03P.
06:04Vowel.
06:06O.
06:07And another.
06:08I.
06:09And a third.
06:10E.
06:11A consonant.
06:13H.
06:14Vowel.
06:16A.
06:18And a final consonant, please.
06:20And a final W.
06:2330 seconds.
06:44MUSIC
06:55Give me a number, Cillian.
06:56Just six.
06:57And give me a number, Ronan.
06:58Try seven.
07:00Cillian.
07:01Impose.
07:02Impose.
07:03A little bit of a risk from Ronan earlier on.
07:05Map-wise.
07:06Map-wise.
07:07Whenever Ronan says,
07:08I'm going to try something with an element of doubt in his voice,
07:12I just forget the doubt because it's always in.
07:16Map-wise.
07:17In the manner of a map.
07:18Very good.
07:19APPLAUSE
07:22Well, you know what I'm going to say.
07:24I've got my own map-wise sitting there.
07:26Maggie Adder and Paul Cocker, she is wise.
07:28But probably not wise enough.
07:29I don't think I'm going to be getting an eight.
07:31Maybe not another seven either.
07:32No.
07:33No, homies.
07:34That's another six.
07:35Another six.
07:36That's it.
07:37All right.
07:38Let's get our first numbers round of the day.
07:40Ronan, you're choosing.
07:41Let's try four large again, please, Rachel.
07:43Why not?
07:44You're only here once.
07:45Four large, two little.
07:46One of the most complex combinations often.
07:49Let's see what it throws up.
07:50Nine and nine.
07:5375, 50, 100 and 25.
07:57And the target to reach, 269.
08:00269.
08:01Numbers up.
08:11MUSIC PLAYS
08:32Ronan?
08:33268.
08:34And Cillian?
08:36I've lost it, sorry.
08:37Lost it, OK.
08:38Seven points.
08:39Ronan, off you go.
08:40Add them all up.
08:41Add them all up.
08:42That's all.
08:43Sorry, Cillian.
08:44That wasn't happening.
08:45Add them all up and you get to 108, 268.
08:49If you use minus multiplication or division sign,
08:53can we get one closer?
08:55Yes.
08:56Brilliant.
08:57If you use 75 divided by 25 for three,
09:01you can times it by 100 for 300.
09:05You can add on the 50 for 350
09:08and then nine times nine is 81.
09:11And you can take that away, 269.
09:13APPLAUSE
09:16So, a great first part in this Series 87 final
09:19for the Hurricane, 32-18.
09:21But the Incredible Malk will not turn into the Incredible Sulk.
09:24Three nines in a semi-final, remember, there is a long way to go.
09:28Type Ruled is your first tea time teaser.
09:31Type Ruled.
09:32He was the type to rule with an iron fist, or so they say.
09:37APPLAUSE
09:46Welcome back.
09:47Who will rule in the Countdown studio today in the final?
09:50That trophy's up for grabs on your tea time teaser.
09:53It was Type Ruled.
09:54Type Ruled.
09:55He was the type to rule with an iron fist, or so they say.
09:59APPLAUSE
10:02It was Type Ruled.
10:03Type Ruled.
10:04He was the type to rule with an iron fist, or so they say.
10:07Reputedly.
10:08Reputedly.
10:09Let's get down to it.
10:1012 rounds to go.
10:11Only three down.
10:12Cillian.
10:13Consonant, please, Rachel.
10:14Thank you, Cillian.
10:16S.
10:17And another.
10:19P.
10:20And a third.
10:22R.
10:23Vowel.
10:24E.
10:25And another.
10:26A.
10:27And a third.
10:29I.
10:30Consonant.
10:31M.
10:34A vowel.
10:36A.
10:38And a final consonant, please.
10:41A final D.
10:42Thank you, Rachel.
11:01MUSIC PLAYS
11:14Cillian.
11:15It.
11:16Ronan.
11:17It as well.
11:18What's the word, Cillian?
11:19Paradise.
11:20And Ronan.
11:21Paradise as well.
11:22Look at that.
11:23Wonderful.
11:24Eight points each.
11:25The Dictionary Corner, just to confirm
11:27that there's nothing better than that word.
11:29Got another eight.
11:30It's Spermia, but nothing better.
11:32Great stuff.
11:3314 points in it.
11:34More ladders now.
11:35Ronan.
11:36Start with a vowel, please, Rachel.
11:37Thank you, Ronan.
11:38E.
11:39And another.
11:41I.
11:42And a third.
11:44A.
11:45Consonant.
11:46Y.
11:47And another.
11:50L.
11:51And another.
11:52T.
11:53And a fourth.
11:55D.
11:56Vowel.
11:57U.
11:59And I'll finish with a consonant, please.
12:02Finish with W.
12:04Half a minute.
12:05MUSIC PLAYS
12:27MUSIC STOPS
12:37Ronan.
12:38Seven.
12:39Cillian.
12:40Seven.
12:41Here we go.
12:42What have we got?
12:43Duality.
12:44Cillian.
12:45Duality as well.
12:46Yeah, look at this.
12:47Yeah.
12:48Seven points each.
12:49Everyone's scrambling to keep up.
12:51How did you two do?
12:52That was ours too.
12:53Yeah.
12:54Duality.
12:55We'll take it.
12:56Seven points each.
12:57The gap remains just the 14 points as we go back to the numbers.
13:02And Cillian's choosing this time.
13:04I'll go one large, five small.
13:06Going 14 behind you, going one large.
13:09Interesting tactics.
13:11OK, I hope this won't keep you up at night.
13:13One large, five little.
13:15Seven.
13:16One.
13:17One.
13:18Five.
13:20Ten.
13:21And 25.
13:22Not guaranteed to be straightforward.
13:24OK, 473.
13:25473, numbers up.
13:55473, the target.
13:57Cillian?
13:58473, but not written down.
14:00And Ronan?
14:01473.
14:02And you are written down, so, Cillian, off you go.
14:04So, ten plus one plus seven.
14:06Ten plus one plus seven, 18.
14:0925 plus one.
14:1025 plus one, 26.
14:12Multiply those together.
14:13For 468.
14:15And add the five.
14:16And add the five, which you haven't used.
14:18473.
14:19Ronan?
14:20Exactly the same.
14:22APPLAUSE
14:24Thank you, Maggie.
14:28These last few rounds proves that great minds think alike,
14:31matching each other every step of the way.
14:34Maggie, we could have you in Dictionary Corner a thousand times
14:37and you wouldn't run out of amazing things to talk about.
14:40You're such a fine mind.
14:41So, whereabouts?
14:42Are we talking about something on Earth today,
14:44or something further afield?
14:45I'm going to talk about something further afield,
14:47but I like to talk about the things we know,
14:49and I go out and speak to kids and get them fired up,
14:52but I also want to talk about the things we don't know,
14:54because there's some real mysteries out there,
14:56and some of them are quite embarrassing, really.
14:58Yeah.
14:59So, for instance, we only know what 6% of the universe is made of.
15:03The other 94%, we have no idea what it's made of.
15:06And so we come up with names like, sort of, dark matter,
15:09because we don't really know what it is.
15:11It doesn't interact with, sort of, photons,
15:13it doesn't interact with light, as other things do.
15:16We know it's there,
15:17because of the gravitational force it has on things,
15:19but we don't know what it's made of.
15:21And so I love to tell kids this, because they sort of go,
15:23we're stumped, you know, it's over to you, kids.
15:25But also, there's things like dark energy as well.
15:27We're using that dark word again, because we don't know what it is.
15:30And because we know the universe is expanding,
15:32from the Big Bang, the universe is expanding,
15:34but it's expanding faster than we anticipate,
15:37and so there seems to be this energy pushing outwards.
15:40And these questions are quite fundamental
15:42to how our universe will end,
15:44or how galaxies formed, and things like that.
15:46So I like to get these ideas out there,
15:48and say, we don't have it sussed.
15:50If you look back in time, people always think,
15:52oh, yeah, we know, we've got it.
15:54And then people come along and say, hold it,
15:56but how about this, or this doesn't add up.
15:58And we're still there now, we're still trying to find the answers.
16:01You can never rule anything out that you don't know, right?
16:03Yes.
16:04So, therefore, no matter how unlikely,
16:07you cannot rule out, then,
16:09that 94% of the universe is made of chocolate.
16:13Well, we don't think it's made of chocolate,
16:16because chocolate interacts with light.
16:18If you've got a bar of chocolate on your desk,
16:20it will reflect light, and so we'd see it.
16:22But the stuff we're talking about is stuff we can't interact with,
16:25we're not seeing it.
16:26We need different technologies to try and interact with it and see it.
16:29Every day's a school day.
16:30I love the fact you had an answer
16:32for why 94% of the universe can't be chocolate.
16:35My absolute favourite moment of you in Dictionary Corner.
16:38Thank you so much.
16:39APPLAUSE
16:43Tell you what else reflects that Countdown trophy.
16:46We still have no idea where it's going.
16:48Let's get back to the game, Ronan Letters.
16:50File, please, Rachel.
16:51Thank you, Ronan.
16:52A
16:53And a second.
16:54E
16:55Third.
16:56I
16:57Consonant.
16:59D
17:00Another.
17:02N
17:03And another.
17:05L
17:06And a fourth.
17:07S
17:08Vowel.
17:10E
17:11And a consonant, please.
17:13And a final G.
17:15Here we go.
17:37MUSIC PLAYS
17:47Ronan.
17:48Nine.
17:49Cillian.
17:50Nine.
17:51The words, please, Ronan.
17:52Encilaged.
17:53Is it the same?
17:54Angelised.
17:55Angelised and encilaged.
17:58Encilaged? It must be encilaged.
18:00Susie.
18:01Encilaged, probably, because it's all about silage.
18:05That is exactly what it is.
18:06It's a noun, actually, as well as a verb.
18:09And angelised is such a lovely idea.
18:12To make a person or other being into an angel.
18:14Oh, yes.
18:15APPLAUSE
18:19You really couldn't have two more different words.
18:22Angels and poo.
18:24Yeah, absolutely.
18:26And they both get 18 points each.
18:28Wow.
18:29And this is Countdown From The Heavens.
18:32I'm assuming they didn't miss another one.
18:34No.
18:35All right.
18:36OK, 75-61.
18:39We've only played seven rounds.
18:41There's eight more rounds to go.
18:42That's what the scores are so far.
18:44Cillian, more letters, please.
18:46Consonant, please, Rachel.
18:47Thank you, Cillian.
18:49K.
18:50And another.
18:51R.
18:52And a third.
18:54S.
18:56Vowel.
18:57A.
18:59And another.
19:00O.
19:01And a third.
19:02U.
19:04Consonant.
19:06D.
19:08And another consonant.
19:10L.
19:12And a final vowel, please.
19:15A final...
19:17I.
19:18Start clock.
19:33CLOCK TICKS
19:51Cillian.
19:53Maybe that time they're risking it.
19:55You're going to risk an eight, Ronan?
19:57Just a seven.
19:58The seven is...
19:59Odalisk.
20:00Odalisk.
20:01Cillian, the risky eight.
20:03Aluroids.
20:04Aluroids.
20:05Susie.
20:07Can you spell aluroid for me?
20:09A-L-U-R-O-I-D-S.
20:12You can either spell it A-E-L or A-I-L,
20:15but you do need that extra letter, I'm afraid.
20:18I'm sorry, Cillian.
20:20All right.
20:21Odalisk.
20:22And, again, very unfamiliar word to most of us.
20:25A female slave in a harem.
20:27There you go.
20:28Yeah.
20:2982 plus 61, 21 points.
20:32The difference now.
20:35Maggie and Susie, I'm contractually obliged to ask you
20:39if you've got anything beyond Odalisk.
20:42No.
20:43Do you know why?
20:44Because nobody in the world has anything beyond Odalisk.
20:48Right, more numbers now, and that's Ronan.
20:50One large this time, please.
20:52I'm feeling slightly more safe with the 21-point cushion.
20:55Nothing's ever that safe in this game.
20:58The other ones coming up, they are 5, 9, 7, 3, 4,
21:05and the large one's 75.
21:07And the target, 755.
21:10755. Numbers up.
21:29MUSIC CONTINUES
21:42755 for these two.
21:44This is Child's Play, Ronan.
21:46Yeah, 755.
21:47Yeah, and Cillian.
21:48755.
21:49Good stuff. Off you go, Ronan.
21:517 plus 3 is 10.
21:5210.
21:53Times 75 is 750.
21:55Yeah.
21:56And add the 5.
21:57So, just what you wanted, Ronan.
21:59Same way.
22:00Yeah, 10 points each.
22:01APPLAUSE
22:05Six more rounds to go in the Series 87 final.
22:08Let's pause for our last teatime teaser of Series 87.
22:12A goal down, a goal down.
22:13They were a goal down at half-time
22:15but conceded lots in the second period.
22:17They were a goal down at half-time
22:19but conceded lots in the second period.
22:21MUSIC PLAYS
22:28APPLAUSE
22:36Welcome back.
22:37They were a goal down at half-time
22:38but conceded lots in the second period.
22:40Wagon load, wagon load.
22:42Well, we are into the final throws of our final six rounds left
22:47and we get cracking straight away.
22:49Cillian McMulcan, the incredible Malk,
22:51needs to pull off something heroic.
22:53Consonant, please, Rachel.
22:54Thank you, Cillian.
22:56T.
22:57And another.
22:59P.
23:00And a third.
23:01C.
23:02Vowel.
23:04E.
23:05And another.
23:07I.
23:08And a third.
23:09O.
23:10A consonant.
23:13R.
23:15Vowel.
23:17E.
23:19And a final vowel, please.
23:21A final A.
23:24Let's play.
23:26MUSIC PLAYS
23:28MUSIC CONTINUES
23:55I'm guessing it's going to be good.
23:57Cillian?
23:58Eight.
23:59And Ronan?
24:00Nine.
24:01And a nine.
24:02Would there be a third maximum in a series final?
24:04Cillian, the eight.
24:06Apparatic.
24:07And the nine.
24:09Pecorate.
24:10Let's have a look.
24:11OK, hang on, I'm going to start with apparatic,
24:13characterised by an irresolvable internal contradiction.
24:16And, Ronan, I'm going to get you to spell yours for me.
24:19P-E-C-O-R-A-I-T-E.
24:24Yes, it's a completely new one on me.
24:26It's a mineral, it's rare, it's bright green
24:29and it's in the dictionary. Well done.
24:37Right, let's get another letters round then. Ronan.
24:40Vowel, please, Rachel.
24:42Thank you, Ronan.
24:43U.
24:44And another.
24:45A.
24:46And another.
24:47O.
24:48Consonant.
24:50F.
24:51And another.
24:52T.
24:53And another.
24:54V.
24:55Vowel.
24:57I.
24:58Another vowel.
25:02E.
25:03And a consonant, please.
25:05Lastly, N.
25:07Can't die.
25:24MUSIC PLAYS
25:39That's us 30 seconds up, Ronan.
25:41A six.
25:42A six. And Cillian?
25:43Six as well.
25:44Six as well. Thank you for letting everybody else play along.
25:47Ronan?
25:48Novate.
25:49Novate.
25:50Cillian?
25:51Novate, everybody.
25:52Lift your paper up, get involved.
25:54Wake up, everybody.
25:55Six the best. Come on, beat them. Come on, beat them.
25:58I've got another six, Auntie.
26:00There you go, Novate and Andy.
26:02One, 16, 77.
26:04Four rounds left.
26:06Cillian, my friend, let's get some letters.
26:08Consonant, please, Rachel.
26:09Thank you, Cillian.
26:11C.
26:12And another.
26:14N.
26:15And a third.
26:17R.
26:19And a vowel.
26:20O.
26:21And another.
26:23I.
26:24And a third.
26:25E.
26:27A consonant.
26:28C.
26:30Another consonant.
26:31B.
26:33And a final vowel.
26:38Final O.
26:39Good luck.
26:41MUSIC PLAYS
26:51MUSIC CONTINUES
27:12Cillian, how many?
27:14Just six.
27:15And Ronan?
27:16Six for me as well.
27:17And a six for Ronan.
27:19Just so you know, if both of these are legitimate words,
27:22that's too big a distance.
27:24We will be crowning our new champion with three rounds to go.
27:27Cillian, what's your six?
27:28Boneyer.
27:29If this is in, you get a round of applause and a trophy.
27:31Coiner.
27:32Coiner.
27:33It in.
27:34Yes!
27:35APPLAUSE
27:39Put your money away.
27:41Put your money away.
27:43With that, we have our champion,
27:45and we'd be this delighted whether it was Ronan or Cillian.
27:48It happens to be Ronan with just three rounds left.
27:52So, no drinking yet.
27:54Oh, sorry, you're 17.
27:56No drinking ever.
27:58But I'll sober you up here,
28:00cos we might have better in Dictionary Corner.
28:02Yes, finally.
28:03I reckon we've got a seven here.
28:04Yes.
28:05Cornice.
28:06Cornice.
28:07Yes, or a cornice.
28:08One of the two.
28:09I like your pronunciation better.
28:10It's the moulding around the wall just below the ceiling.
28:12Yes, indeed.
28:13A nice cornice.
28:14Indeed.
28:15Yeah.
28:16Right.
28:17Champion.
28:18A vowel, please, Rachel.
28:20Thank you, Ronan.
28:21E.
28:22And another.
28:24A.
28:25And a third.
28:26U.
28:27Consonant.
28:30Q.
28:31And another.
28:34D.
28:35And another.
28:37S.
28:38And another.
28:40N.
28:41A vowel.
28:43I.
28:44And a consonant, please.
28:46And lastly, R.
28:48Yeah, last letters.
29:17MUSIC STOPS
29:21Ronan?
29:22Eight.
29:23Killian?
29:24Try nine.
29:25Yeah.
29:26Ronan?
29:27Unraised.
29:28Unraised.
29:29Quandaries.
29:30Quandaries!
29:31Oh, it's Quandaries.
29:33No, it's not!
29:34It is.
29:35Yeah, it's, um...
29:37You spell... You pronounce it as Quandaries,
29:39but it's Q-U-A-N-D-A-R-I-E-S.
29:42I'm so sorry, Killian. You're going to hate me now.
29:44Ronan hadn't got it, so...
29:46That is the alarm bell!
29:48Exactly.
29:49So I'm miming over to Dictionary Corner,
29:51even I've got a nine!
29:53And we didn't.
29:54We should have known better.
29:56Ronan picks up those points.
29:58A ridiculous 130 he's on now.
30:02What do we have in Dictionary Corner?
30:04Unraised as well.
30:05Unraised.
30:06Yeah.
30:07Very good indeed.
30:08Very good indeed.
30:09Eight more points for Ronan.
30:10I tell you what, at least Killian,
30:12he can't take that 154 away from you with 20 points left.
30:15Yeah, I'm proud of that.
30:16Last laugh's on him.
30:18Let's get your numbers, Mr McMulcan.
30:20Let's go four large out to the bang.
30:22This is to secure Collins.
30:24To get your 100, you need this one.
30:26Oh, yes, come on.
30:27Right, come on.
30:28Final one of this final.
30:29The little numbers four and three.
30:31And we have 75, 100, 50 and 25.
30:35And the target, 878.
30:38878. Numbers up.
30:42MUSIC
30:44MUSIC
31:10878. The target, Killian?
31:12Just 880.
31:13882 away, Ronan?
31:15878.
31:16Wow, come on, let's have it.
31:18100 x 4 is 400.
31:20100 x 4, 400.
31:2350 x 25 is 2.
31:25It is indeed.
31:26Times 400, 800.
31:28800.
31:29And add the 75 and the 3.
31:30I can't believe you're not too tired to get that 878.
31:33APPLAUSE
31:37140 plays 83.
31:39We just have one round of series 87 of Countdown.
31:43To complete.
31:44And hasn't it been an absolute joy?
31:46Fingers on buzzers.
31:48The hurricane and the incredible mulk
31:50as we reveal today's Countdown conundrum.
31:59BELL
32:00Ronan?
32:01Pulsatory.
32:02And with that, the hurricane has blown them all away.
32:06APPLAUSE
32:13You and I are Countdown champion.
32:15It's absolutely amazing. I'm so honoured.
32:17Thanks to everybody who's given me the opportunity to come on.
32:20And well played, Killian.
32:21Yeah, what a beautiful thing to say.
32:23It's a rare example where you don't have to smile
32:26through gritted teeth when you're going to walk out front with us
32:29and help us present the trophy to such a wonderful young man.
32:32Yeah, what a champ. I mean, I couldn't compete with that today.
32:35So fair play to you, Ronan. You were absolutely amazing.
32:38Can we do this all again, about three years in a champion?
32:41Sounds like a plan.
32:42Sounds like a plan. I'll have to get practising.
32:44Let's get this trophy presented.
32:49And after some magic television, by the magic of television,
32:53we're all here ready to present this trophy.
32:56Susie, I'll be full of naive hyperbole,
32:59because I'm the newest here.
33:01You've been here the longest.
33:03How does that, as a final, in terms of the quality of these two,
33:06rank all-time?
33:08Well, I think you said it at the beginning, none of us could call it.
33:11I mean, you said to me, he's going to win,
33:13and we just couldn't decide, and that tells you everything.
33:16So if you want a word for it, I'd say it's blooming flippicanorious.
33:20And, Rachel, you've been here for so many finals,
33:23but in 40 years at Countdown,
33:25nobody's ever scored that many in a final,
33:27even the Champion of Champions that Ronan won.
33:29Yeah, well, this is the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy,
33:31so the first name on this etched in is Conor Travers,
33:34who won the champion of champion of champion of champion of champions.
33:37And now, bookending that,
33:39we have the highest ever score in the final,
33:41and you well deserved it, Ronan, so this is yours.
33:43I'm going to hand it over to you. Thank you very much.
33:45Huge congratulations. Yes.
33:49And I'd like to point this out, you're a loser.
33:51We have to say it.
33:53Despite being one of the best ever.
33:55I mean, yeah, I'm just delighted to even get to the final.
33:58So, you know, Ronan was unbelievable, so fair play to him.
34:02He completely deserves it. Thank you.
34:04Thank you. So humble with it as well.
34:06Well done, Joe.
34:11Well, I think we'll all agree, such epic drama,
34:14we need a break at the end of Series 87. Lovely.
34:16We need to go on holiday, we need to recharge,
34:19we need to dine toons, we need to speak to our agents,
34:21all of that stuff.
34:23So, we'll be back for Series 88 at ten past two on Channel 4.
34:28Tomorrow. Come on, you can count on us.
34:32You can contact the programme by email at countdown at channel4.com.
34:37You can also find our web page at channel4.com forward slash countdown.