It’s Come Dine With Me – Extra Spicy. The nation’s favourite cooking show is back on DVD and packed...

For the first time ever on DVD, we present the very best moments from Channel 4's hugely popular and...

Born-and-bred Chelseaite Mark-Francis showed off his Italian heritage with a starter of risotto - wi...

Caggie got a little help from best friend Millie to prepare her twice-baked cheese soufflé. Not that...

The guests decamped to Binky's country pad, where the starter was mushroom soup in a chi-chi teacup....

Cor blimey, guv'nor! Spencer took the West End darlings east for the night, with a typically cockney...

Made in Chelsea stars Caggie, Binky, Spencer and Mark-Francis take turns to host a special edition o...

Made in Chelsea stars Caggie, Binky, Spencer and Mark-Francis take turns to host a special edition o...

The Come Dine with Me vault has been ransacked to countdown the top 30 best bits ever. During more t...

Part-time opera diva Jane Bagley from Come Dine With Me Stoke kicks off with a menu that looks set t...

Sarah provides this weeks second dinner and a glimpse into the glamours life of a real footballer's...

Tricia Martin - Stoke's answer to Hyacinth Bucket - makes her bid for dinner party dominance in this...

Estate agent and former Miss Stoke finalist Lesley creates an extraordinary three-course all-chocola...

Father Brian cooks dinner for four over-excited female guests in Come Dine With Me Stoke. IIt's the...

Meet domestic goddess, Moona Messamri, from Come Dine With Me London. She believes her 10-course Ita...

City slicker, Bruce Mainwaring, from Come Dine With Me London plans to wow his guests with his stunn...

Canadian Pauline lives in a small, cramped flat and has a plan to host a garden barbecue to give her...

Innovator, Michael O'Keefe, takes a relaxed approach to hosting in Come Dine With Me London. He beli...

Belinda hosts the final dinner party in Come Dine With Me London. Her newly decorated modern dining...

Spiky-haired, leopard-printed dinner lady Vera Liburd welcomes four complete strangers into her home...

Stuart creates something you’ve never seen before by combining two British favourites - the full Eng...

Super suave 25-year-old Craig is planning a thoroughly sophisticated evening for his guests. But wil...

Pippa Hudson is well practised in the art of entertaining, but there's a small problem with her gues...

It's the last menu of the competition in Come Dine With Me Leeds and the turn of former army chef Pa...

Office manager Jane cooks up a lavish five-course banquet, but how will the guests react to her obse...

The centrepiece of debonair David's meal is ‘Duck in a Box’, a dish that he's created himself and in...

It's Sarah's turn to show off her hosting skills. She's laying on a 12-starter extravaganza. But wil...

Rocky Scott doesn't believe dinner parties should be hard work. She relies on good, honest home cook...

Paul’s homemade bread is calculated to impress, and his lemon tart looks truly delicious. The oven g...

Ben de Lisi drew on his Italian cooking skills to prepare this broccoli pasta dish in the celebrity...

Jamaican flavourings and the classic Caribbean accompaniment of rice and pea, make for a sunshine fi...

Ulrika surprises everyone when she doesn't cook anything Swedish, instead opting for risotto and sea...

Comedian Helen Lederer hosta this evening and it's a night to remember for all the wrong reasons.

It's the final night and a winner will be announced, Once host David quantick get's his steaks on th...

Sales rep Jane from Essex chooses lamb shanks for her main course, but gets off to a bad start when...

Belly dancer June plans a relaxed night in Essex and is hoping to say 'ciao' to her rivals with her...

Fitness fanatic Kevin serves up a health-conscious meal of carrot soup and salmon in Essex and then...

Trainee actress Keeley in Essex has just moved house, hasn't got any cooking utensils and claims tha...

Interior designer Amanda from Essex draws up plans for a formal banquet, brings in a friend to play...

The first night in Doncaster is hosted by Neena, a no-nonsense child minder. But her guests don't se...

The first night in Doncaster didn't produce blossoming friendships as much as it produced irritation...

After two prickly evenings, there's hope for the third, as host Steve is the only contestant yet to...

Leg-pulling tailor Danny is the fourth host, and after three bad atmospheres in a row, he realises h...

Former company director "Ross" invites the guests to her 400 year old farmhouse on her five acre est...

This round features fun-loving, flamboyant females from Brighton. Margaret fell in love with the Wes...

Actress Julia has to put on the show of her life if she's going to scoop that first prize. She's dec...

Tough-talking PR Paula knows some of Brighton's top restaurateurs and she's not too proud to call in...

Glamour model-turned-housewife Nathalie may have braved the cameras but she's a bundle of nerves whe...

Fiery farm-owner Melinda hopes to harvest the £1,000 prize with an upmarket evening. She's laying on...

72-year-old Aileen likes to face fresh challenges, and thinks hosting an evening will be an ideal ex...

Paul Lydon is Tuesday's host. He takes contests seriously and intends to make everything from scratc...

Glamorous Christine Thornton is Wednesday's host. She likes a bit of "glitz" in her life and has her...

Business woman Sharon Eaton is Thursday's host. She lays out an extravagant 10 course Thai banquet i...

Ishrat Gazala is Friday's host, she serves up an authentic Indian curry. Plus, the week's winner is...

Entrepreneur Karen Cullen starts a week in Nottingham, yet having just returned from holiday, she ha...

Hairdresser-turned-restaurant critic Gordon Todd is Tuesday's host. His motto is "If you fail to pre...

Psychic Jenny Cross is Wednesday's host. She claims to have already foreseen that Gordon will be the...

Cocky Aussie sales rep Jarrod Pepper is Thursday's host. He's laying on the most unusual menu ever s...

First class airline hostess Sam Hughes is Friday's host. She believes presentation is the key to a g...

This week's first host is steely PR Isabelle Goldstein. She's got one aim in life: to win, no matter...

Second to play host in London is Aussie smoothie Chris D'Sylva. He's a laid-back drinks PR, who take...

Bill Buckley is used to entertaining in his day job as a local radio DJ. But he's determined to put...

Jacqueline Gill hosts this evening's dinner party. Will her cooking be enough to secure her the cove...

Friday's host is 30-year-old north Londoner Serena Wilson. She admits there's a touch of Bridget Jon...

Rowland's meringues are stuck to the baking tray, his pancakes are falling flat and for once our com...

Linda may have starred on theatre and television but she’s never before cooked a dinner party. She’s...

Anneka’s more used to being wined and dined than getting her hands dirty, but still opts for an adve...

Our celebrities on the celebrity special have bonded well – with the exception of restaurant critic...

Hoping to wipe the floor with the competition on the celeb special is Aggie Mackenzie: she’s the co-...

71-year-old Terry White from Liverpool hopes to win over four complete strangers with his classic Co...

It’s the second gathering in Liverpool and tonight’s host is fishmonger Dan Redfern. Super competiti...

Tonight it’s Nikki O’Leary’s turn to have a shot at the £1000 prize in Liverpool – but it’s not goin...

Customer Service Manger Ian Cook, in Liverpool, tries to grab the top prize by planning his cooking...

It’s the final night of the culinary stand off in Liverpool and it’s the turn of etiquette queen and...

Delicatessen owner Tracy is the first of five hosts in Edinburgh. Yet her plan to introduce malt whi...

The second meal in Edinburgh is hosted by 67-year-old vegetarian and wine critic Paul Dwyer. Paul is...

Texan Tanya hopes to wow her guests with six courses of southern American cuisine

Barman-turned-catering-manager James has been boasting about his skills all week

Lady of leisure Jennifer Crosbie hosts the final round in Edinburgh

It’s the start of five days of stiff culinary competition in London. Cooking for four complete stran...

It’s day two in London and tonight fishmonger Jonathan Norris is entertaining. He’s passionate about...

Night three in London and it’s the turn of seventy year old opera singer Patricia Varley who’s hopin...

It’s the fourth day of the competition in London and tonight is the turn of Italian estate agent Joh...

It’s the last night of the competition and our five London food lovers are about to find out who’s w...

Fancy Dress company owner Julia Knight serve up a mexican theme Dinner Party.

Postman Grahm Fox aims for the £100 prize but there's a crab bone in the fish cakes!

Holistic Therapist Patsy serves up a spicy caribbean menu.

Erotic dancer Michelle Cooper tries to impress her guests with chicken hotpot.

Half French Web designer Danny Fletcher tries to impress his guests with an all-French menu.

Caroline is the final host and with her boyfriend a chef, she uses his contacts to source the best p...

Rachel ropes in her husband and kids but the move backfires when the kids brownies end up in the bin...

It’s day two in Cambridge and the turn of flash estate agent Gael Norris to show her skills. Gael is...

Night three in Cambridge and it’s the turn of house husband and home grown produce fan Phil Webb, wh...

It’s day 4 of the competition in Cambridge and German born domestic goddess Simone Breneis is planni...

The final night in Cambridge and it’s the turn of ex-nightclub singer turned market researcher Carol...

It’s the first night of a week of fine dining in Ayr, and white witch Maureen McKissock is off to a...

It’s day two of the food lovers’ competition in Ayr, and the turn of college lecturer Elaine Munro....

Tonight it’s the turn of the only man in the group – Ayr's answer to Donald Trump – Forbes Robertson...

It’s day four of the competition in Ayr and time for upmarket Englishwoman Lizzy McCubbin to show of...

The prize for best host will be awarded this evening and Sarah will have to work hard to beat Elaine...

Four evenings in York see Rosie, Wayne, Peter and Maria prepare festive meals for one another. With...

Five nights in South Wales begin with social worker David. Believing that good hosting is even more...

As the group reflect on the first night, a new aspect is revealed to viewers - Ernest was flatulent...

Third host Sue is also a social worker like David, and plans to present the group with a vegetarian...

Air hostess Karen is the fourth host, and after three nights that didn't break the scoreboard, the c...

Eccentric Heather is the final host, inviting her guests to a house full of mannequins, and a flag o...

Anneka Rice, Linda Robson, Aggie MacKenzie, Rowland Rivron and Toby Young take it in turns to hold a...

Originally shown as five separate episodes during July and August 2006, this hour-long special compi...

An hour long special showing a week's competition in Belfast. The week was originally shown as five...

Featuring a week in Edinburgh, this special compilation was originally shown as five separate episod...

An hour-long special showcasing five nights in London. The week was originally shown as five separat...

Five days in Brighton sees a group of all-female contestants competing to win the £1000 prize. An ho...

Originally shown as five separate episodes in September 2006, this hour-long special features a week...

A special compilation of five nights in Derby, this week was originally shown as five separate episo...

Originally shown as five separate episodes in October 2005, this special compilation details a week...

Party girl Nicola loves to socialise and has decided that the best way to win over her guests is to...

Eccentric pensioner Katie Noden lives in a bungalow with her husband and son. Katie is no stranger t...

Vet Edward believes in locally sourcing his ingredients, which is bad news for the trout he catches...

Fourth host Jan has an ambitious menu, and rushes through preparation, not even measuring properly....

Hairdresser Howard is so determined to win on the final day that he organises a wine taster and gets...

A special compilation of a week in Swansea, this competition was previously shown as five separate e...

Nick hosts the first of five nights in Bristol, with food so elaborate and richly prepared he has to...

Second host Rachel uses her half-Spanish ancestry to inspire her menu, including 10 tapas dishes. De...

Ronnie has a pleasant evening, despite needing to call a chef for tips and facing many criticisms fr...

Zoologist and TV producer Clive hosts the fourth night, and has exacting preparation for his food. H...

Chyna is determined to make the last night in Bristol go well - even if it means recruiting her gues...

Originally shown as five separate episodes in October 2005, this special compilation marks five nigh...

Five nights in Ayr are shown in a special, hour-long presentation. The week was originally broadcast...

Five days in and around the Cardiff area begin with Suzanne from Caerphilly, a no-nonsense businessw...

The first night in Cardiff saw everyone get along - except with outspoken "psychic" Annette. Unfortu...

Former seaman Jim introduces the group to some exotic foodstuff, including an ingredient that can be...

Postman Charlie hosts the fourth night in Cardiff, and introduces the group to his love of organic f...

The final night in a week of simmering tensions sees troublesome Annette repeatedly leave the table...

Come Dine With Me goes prime time, as the afternoon show gets an 8pm celebrity special. Featuring fo...

Four nights in Newcastle are shown in one special compilation. Including a picky guest and a James B...

Four nights in Coventry are presented in a single edition, with contestants including pub landlord J...

Four nights in Bournemouth are shown in one edition, with contestants including patisserie owner Cla...

Four nights in Newport are presented in one edition. With contestants salesman Nick Payne, vegan Ton...

Four nights in Sheffield are shown in a single compilation, as diners including talkative artist Chr...

Four nights in Oxfordshire are presented in a single edition. Featuring food writer Juliet, shop own...

Four nights in Bath are presented in a single edition, and include dancing, shooting, town criers an...

Four competitive nights in Glasgow are shown in a single special. The week was later shown as four s...

Four nights in Devon are presented in one edition, as competitors include image-conscious Sarah Corb...

A compilation of four nights in Norwich where the diners fail to gel. Containing mini spats and argu...

Five nights in Manchester begin with half-Belizean interior designer Carlos Buller, who uses his men...

Susan got drunk on the first night, irritating fellow diner Stuart as he found her overbearing. It's...

Third to host in Manchester is performance artist Dan Cumberland, who prepares a vegetarian, Indian-...

The fourth night in Manchester is hosted by artist Karen. Although she's incredibly relaxed preparin...

After a week of underlying tensions, nightclub owner Stuart is still confident that he can win. But...

Obsessive cleaner Nicola is first host for a week in Birmingham, yet her continual tidying gets in t...

Host on night two of Birmingham is opinionated recruitment consultant and gym bunny, Ian Harvey "If...

Flying the flag for Birmingham on night three is garage manager, Amanda Kelman. Amanda doesn't suffe...

Man of the world, Wayne, is used to living the high life, so there's a treat in store when his humbl...

Sporty singleton, Suzie, has some secrets up her sleeve for her Come Dine With Me Birmingham guests....

Sri Lankan Tanya is the first host for a week in Kent, bringing 17 separate dishes to Tunbridge Well...

Trevor is the second host of the week, but has to start his day with a hangover after indulging the...

Giggly businessman Allen proves to be serious about his cooking, though a delay in his main course s...

Zoe Mortlock used her psychological profiling powers to pitch for victory in Come Dine With Me Kent....

Dental technician and wannabe DJ, Steven Parks think's his culinary class makes him the man to beat...

Trout farmer Tim begins a week in Gloucester, and prepares most of his own ingredients, including ca...

Publishing company owner Richenda plans a barbecue party for her evening, but the English weather pu...

Housewife and home-cooking expert Pat Shepherd is a seasoned dinner party hostess so her dinner part...

A celebrity special with Linda Barker, Lee Ryan, Michelle Heaton and Peter Stringfellow all competin...

Brewer Nick Cooper cooks a traditional menu from the 1950s, but will his guests be impressed?

It's the final dinner party in Gloucestershire and time to find out who has scooped the £1,000 prize...

Caprice, Jimmy Osmond, Nicky Clarke and Nancy Sorrell compete to win £1000 for charity, while Nancy...

Four nights in Aberdeen are shown in a single edition. The week was later shown as four separate epi...

Four nights in East Yorkshire are shown in a single edition. The week was later shown as four separa...

Four nights in Plymouth are told in under 50 minutes in this compilation special. The week was later...

Four nights are shown in one special compilation, with four very different people trying to find com...

Four nights in Royal Berkshire feature contestants including a fitness instructor and a business dir...

Outspoken pastry chef Claudette Brady is the first host in Bournemouth. She's so eager to win that s...

Sales exec Sonia Peck thinks she has the perfect combination for a dazzling dinner party: good food...

James Dean is out to impress with a seafood supper. His starter and main course are both fish-based,...

The final host in Bournemouth is eccentric cafe owner Clive Page, who believes the key to a successf...

Drinks rep Nick hosts the first of four nights in Gwent, where things get off to a shaky start with...

Tony's vegan menu doesn't go well, and his anecdote about food textured like phlegm nearly causes Sa...

Sam has a daring plan for her night as host - an ice cream making machine that she's never used befo...

Jan spends 10 hours prepping in her attempts to win the week's prize. In a peaceful night, she worri...

The first host in Devon, supermarket boss Karen, knows how to have a good party but she's not so goo...

In Devon, pig farmer and lady of the manor Deborah is sourcing most of her ingredients from the grou...

Self-confessed perfectionist Sarah's salmon and mackerel roulade and dessert are immaculately presen...

IT consultant Darren has struggled to make himself heard all week and he's not got on with Karen eit...

Originally shown as five separate episodes in October 2005, this compilation special marks a week in...

2009 begins with four episodes in a single night, with Newcastle the venue of choice. But will Lee E...

Brian is the second host in Newcastle, revealing himself to be a Conservative politician. Yet despit...

Rebecca, the quietest of the group, gets her turn to host a Moroccan-style party. But when Brenda ar...

It's the final night in Newcastle, and it's left to boxer Brenda to host the final party. But as she...

Four nights in Sheffield are presented on a single Tuesday evening on Channel 4. First up is busines...

For the second night it's the turn of 4'8 artist Christopher. But after he spent the first night dom...

With Christopher having turned around his reputation among the other guests, it's left to Hazel to h...

Ollie hosts the final party of the week, showcasing the view of the local dog track and performing m...

Four nights in Norwich are presented in a single evening on Channel 4. Single mum Zara Davies starts...

"If I never see some of these people again, so long as I live, it wouldn't be a bad thing." It's Dav...

It's Seamus's turn to host, and also his birthday. While tensions between Seamus and Zara begin to e...

After a week of minor spats, niggles and tongue biting, the competitors from Norwich get to eat at W...

The West Country plays host to the culinary clash, where the first host is Kenyan-born Sarah Hillman...

Bachelor Simon Goddard Palmer is so confident of his cooking abilities that he's found time to go on...

Bath is home to this week's dinner party hosts, all hoping win the £1,000 first prize. Town crier Ad...

Show-jumping fan Annie Todd has some high hurdles to clear, as Simon is looking for revenge. She cri...

Pub landlord James Payley is the first to host the culinary competition in Coventry. In true pub tra...

Scientist and writer Vera Phillips Griffiths doesn't get off to a good start when she burns the veg...

Even though he has a hangover, Jon Bramley is determined to pull out all the stops. Fancying himself...

Dinner party veteran Marie Hughes Price hopes her wealth of experience will bag her the prize. The p...

Arguably the most famous and beloved week in the history of the show, as some of the most eccentric...

It's eccentric Val's turn to host the dinner party, but the tensions of the first night still remain...

Bernard hosts a Caribbean-themed evening, and presents a bouquet of flowers for both ladies by way o...

A tired and emotional Dawn falls asleep during her own dinner event, and leaves the cooking to Nigel...

After a week of arguments, upheavals and recriminations, it's left to Paul to host the most relaxed...

The five contestants for this week, all from Ipswich, are: former pub landlady Zoë Condon, who is st...

Leading into the second dinner, four of the five participants discuss the one remaining person as th...

Narrator Dave Lamb feels compelled to tell Angie to shut up during her musical night, as she won't s...

The falling out between Angie and Zoë is the main topic of conversation following last night's dinne...

The on-going rift between Angie and Zoë is still playing on the minds of all the diners. The fact of...

Five nights in London begin with American-Swedish journalist Judi. Her four chatty guests are lawyer...

The guests from last night's dinner discuss their chances of winning in light of the quality of the...

The guests are still discussing the wine spilling incident from last night, Judi, the supposed culpr...

Moni Bharij is the hostess for the evening. Most of her guests expect that she will go to her Indian...

The five reflect on the four new friends they have out of this experience, many no longer caring if...

Joker Dave Wheeler starts off a week in Manchester with a night of sophisticated humour - a fake tur...

Drama teacher Matthew is the second host of the week, with a meticulously-planned menu. Unfortunatel...

Celebrity fan Jane plans an "Oscar Night", with all courses based around film, and "paparazzi" to sn...

The five competitors discuss how well they have all gotten along so far, with the exception of one p...

The four previous hosts reflect on their respective evenings. Shaida has come to the realization of...

Christopher Biggins, Edwina Currie, Julia Bradbury and Philip Olivier all compete to win £1000 for c...

Guests discover if you can buy class when nightclub owner Tony invites them to his huge house, compl...

The four guests from the previous evening assess their chances of winning based on first host Tony's...

Ashley Hughes is third on the list to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of salmon and tarrago...

Anthony Merton-Smith is the host for the evening. His guests are expecting great things from him as...

All five of the diners, even the person whose night it was to host, comment on the totally unusual a...

A celebrity special featuring Raef Bjayou, Christopher Ellison, Lynne Franks and Michelle Gayle comp...

The four contestants, all from Swindon, are: Mark Farrow, who believes men are better cooks, busines...

Four nights in West Yorkshire are shown in one special compilation. The week was later shown as four...

The four contestants, all from Southampton, are: professional mystery diner Liz Grana Priego, market...

Four fairly raucous nights in Huddersfield are shown in one edition. The week was later shown as fou...

Four nights in Teeside are presented in a single edition. Featuring class culture wars, over indulgi...

Four nights in Blackpool are included in a single edition, and include a contestant who bears a thre...

Four nights in Birmingham are shown in a single edition. The week was later shown as four separate e...

Four nights on the Isle of Wight are presented in a single edition. Featuring guests including aspir...

Four nights in Wolverhampton are shown in a special compilation, including a contestant who gets a r...

Four nights in Luton become surprisingly controversial after a tongue-in-cheek remark lead to compla...

Four memorable nights in Bristol include a host who serves sushi off a semi-naked man's body. The we...

Four nights in Croydon are shown in a single edition. The week was later shown as four separate epis...

Five nights in London begin with landscape gardener Greg, who describes himself as "mediocrity perso...

The five contestants not only sum up their competition, but all have strong opinions on who they lik...

Sabrina Ghayour is third on the list to host the dinner party. She is quietly confident and wants no...

"One more night to soldier through, and then the whole ordeal is over." Greg isn't in a positive moo...

Thoby Young is the last of this fivesome to host. The other four have listened to Thoby talk and tal...

Tara Tasker is the first to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of cream of Arbroath smokie sou...

Francis Glancy is second on the list to host the dinner party. He's worried about having a panic att...

The third night in Dundee sees Laura having to cook in front of the full view of her guests. However...

Jimmy uses his creativity and imagination for his menu, including a main course in the shape of bagp...

The week ends not actually in Dundee, but 14 miles down the road to Adam's house in St. Andrew's. Wi...

Kate Hibbert is the first to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of goat's cheese and Parma ham...

Lee Stafford is second on the list to host the dinner party. Being a flight attendant, Lee believes...

Maria Wilkinson is third on the list to host the dinner party. Being a restaurateur, Maria believes...

Sheena Ives is the hostess for the evening. Her mixed Scottish/Mexican menu consists of a trio of Sc...

Therapist Lynne is the final host in Portsmouth, and offers her guests a massage as well as food in...

Gavin Dyer is the first to host the dinner party. His menu consists of fig, goat's cheese and carame...

Alison Deer is second on the list to host the dinner party. Her Italian inspired menu consists of ro...

David Ward is third on the list to host the dinner party. He wants his hosting skills to reflect an...

Patrick Walker is the host for the evening. His "old fashioned hotel food" menu consists of scallops...

Carol Sylvester is the last of this fivesome to host. Her menu consists of Channel crab cakes as a s...

Jonathan Ansell, former member of G4, hosts the first of four nights with celebrities competing for...

Seventies songstress and vegetarian Lynsey de Paul is convinced that a meat-free menu will win over...

Socialite Tamara Beckwith is so cool and calm about entertaining that she has enough time to get her...

It's the final night, when the winning celebrity will be decided. Rapper-turned-actor MC Harvey is g...

This show's culinary competition comes from Aberdeen, and first to host is 37-year old Amanda Westla...

It's day two in Aberdeen, and the turn of Rick Breckenridge, manager of Aberdeen's premiere gay nigh...

Care worker Laura Rojales plays host and she's desperate to win so she can go visit her two kids bac...

It's the final day of the competition and time for publican Bob Calder to show his worth. Bob's been...

A brand new series of Come Dine with Me starts in Brighton, where first to host is visual artist Pas...

It's the second day of the competition in Brighton, and cheeky John O'Sullivan plans a meal includin...

It's the turn of DJ Melody in Brighton. Melody has high hopes for her West Indian inspired feast, bu...

It's the turn of Alistair James to host in Brighton. But as tension mounts between guests Melody and...

It's the last night in Brighton and Ana is keen to impress with her seafood starter and beef main co...

The culinary comp goes cockney in East London this week, where five budding cooks are prepping their...

City-boy and fitness fanatic Ryan Waters is determined to win over his fellow contestants with a 'ca...

Vintage clothes magnate and burlesque impresario Timothy Sanderson is determined to raise the stakes...