WORK this conundrum out, Countdown's word game is a DDELIF . . . because brainbox Susie Dent is secretly told the answers through an earpiece.

Got the solution yet? Your 30 seconds is up . . . and the answer is FIDDLE.

For while Dictionary Corner expert Susie, 41, puts contestants' efforts to shame by making longer words from a jumble of nine letters, we can reveal a words whizz producer on the Channel 4 show helps her out by suggesting answers down an EARPIECE.

The Oxford graduate then trots them out to host Jeff Stelling. A source said: "It's the Dictionary Corner con. Viewers think the team are smarter but it's never made clear they're getting secret help. It wouldn't be the same if Jeff said, 'Thanks to the bloke in the backroom.'"

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The producer sometimes supplies extra ideas." Susie confessed: "We want to give the audience as many answers as possible."

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