Dictionary Diligence is the fun new daytime letters quiz from Channel Z Television. It’s fast, frantic and educational too! Broadcast every weekday at 4pm, Dictionary Diligence has quickly gained a loyal following among Britain's army of quiz lovers, and also attracted some who don’t usually enjoy word games.

The rules of Dictionary Diligence are simple and few. Contestants write in to apply to be a contestant on the programme, then get busy memorising as many of the entries in the Concise Oxford Dictionary as they can manage. Then in front of a live audience of word-lovers they are challenged to accurately recite the dictionary - from A to, well, that's up to them! Contestants score 60 points per complete page (of entry headings only) recalled. When they hear the random buzzer sound they can score 50 bonus points if they accurately give the definition for the entry they have reached. Hosted by Boris Concert, Dictionary Diligence is the quick-paced letters quiz where contestants really give their short-term memory an aerobic workout!

All our contestants receive an exclusive Dictionary Diligence bookmark. And that's not all! For every 50 pages of the COD successfully recalled a donation is made to the contestant’s favourite charity. All the scores are entered into our special Dilettante League table, and after eleven weeks of heats a draw is made for the quarter finals. Semi finals follow, and the excitement culminates with the extended edition Grand Final, where the lucky winner will be presented with a unique engraved glass punch bowl. In addition to these prizes, every so often, and for special merit, our much sought after leather Dictionary Diligence dictionary dust-jacket will be awarded at the discretion of our panel of judges. Let the memorising commence!

Why not play the game at home and become an honorary Dictionary Diligence Dilettante . . . from the comfort of your armchair. It’s easy to do - and fun too! Firstly, spend some valuable preparation time with your copy of the COD, then grab a friend or two and the fun really begins. Ask one of them to be the adjudicator, then sit back and watch their amazed expressions as you motor through the dictionary from A to - well, that's up to you! Let us know how you do, and we’ll print your name and score here in a special Viewers' Challenge League Table.

Since its first programme on 18th June, Dictionary Diligence has featured some tremendous feats of memory from its contestants. The top ten Dictionary Diligence Dilettantes to date are: 1. Mr P.Wallace from Melton Mowbray - "buccaneer", plus 5 bonus definitions Grand Score - 10,270 points 2. Mr J.Bennett from Leatherhead - "beacon", plus 2 bonus definitions Grand Score - 6,640 points 3. Mr B.Bowen from Chester - "barbule", plus 3 bonus definitions Grand Score - 6,210 points 4. Mrs G.McDonald from Glossop - "asterisk", plus 10 bonus definitions Grand Score - 5,000 points 5. Mrs H.Overthorpe from Anglesey - "anvil", plus 4 bonus definitions Grand Score - 3,440 points 6. Mr H.Collins from Kirkwall - "ambivert", plus 6 bonus definitions Grand Score - 2,580 points 7. Miss S.Shepherd from Manchester - "algorithm", plus 0 bonus definitions Grand Score - 1,860 points 8. Mr P.Kendall from Penzance - "aggravate", plus 7 bonus definitions Grand Score - 1,790 points 9. Mr T.Williams from Bury - "ad hoc", plus 4 bonus definitions Grand Score - 1,100 points 10. Mr K.Ward from Whatstandwell - "accountant", plus 8 bonus definitions Grand Score - 940 points

Some of the comments from past contestants on Dictionary Diligence: ‘I was amazed at how calm I felt just before I went into the studio. Everyone made me feel very much at home. I didn’t do as well as I thought, but gave it my best shot. Good luck to anyone who can get past the ‘A’s and into the ‘B’s! Thank you for a smashing day. I shall follow the progress of the show with interest.’ - Mr L.Lehrmann, Newcastle, 29th June '01 ‘I’m so glad I've become an official Dictionary Diligence Dilettante! It was great to meet Boris Concert. I’ve got all his albums. He gave me his autograph. He was very professional and made me feel comfortable with all the rules. I had a lovely day and was thrilled with how far I got (‘accident’). I was delighted to receive my Dictionary Diligence bookmark.’ - Mrs T.Smith, Littlehampton, 18th July '01

Host: Boris Concert Devised by: Michael Macintyre Producer: Roger Regis-Royle Executive Producers: Michael Macintyre, Kenneth Clunes Script: Samantha Bridge-Neilson Sound: Gemma Cooper Lighting: Hugh Pryce Wardrobe: Jenny Hayes Set Design: Amazing Set Design Ltd

Email our production team with your comments and/or anecdotes to do with Dictionary Diligence, or any word-related activities that you get up to. We'll endeavour to reply to all of you in due course!

Dictionary Diligence is sponsored by Raspberry Affair. Imbibe a taste of wild berries, with the refreshing blend of loganberry and raspberry that makes a Raspberry Affair - with the subtle hint of vodka. “You’ll always remember a Raspberry Affair.”

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