'Respect' for new UK Scrabble champion

A TRANSSEXUAL wearing a pink wig and matching pvc dress was crowned as the national Scrabble champion today.

Mikki Nicholson, 32, from Cumbria, who said he has been diagnosed by a psychologist as a woman trapped in a man's body, appeared for the final with lipstick, manicured nails, and a hint of stubble. His pink plastic dress was trimmed with black lace.

Mr Nicholson, who has not had any surgery for his condition, began playing Scrabble on the internet just five years ago.

An 86-point word "obeisant", meaning respectful, proved crucial in the deciding fifth game, picking up an extra 50 points for using all the letters.

Mr Nicholson, who is unemployed, was up against four-time champion Mark Nyman, a wordsmith who has spent time in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4's Countdown.

Mr Nyman, 44, has over 30 years playing experience and has won more than 20 major tournaments including the World Championship.

The flamboyant victor, who has a fear of phones, said: "It was a big challenge but I wouldn't have entered if I didn't think I had a chance of winning.

"I'm thrilled to have won and I can't wait to celebrate."

Mr Nyman still came away with the highest scoring word in the final game, "updates" for 105 points.

Other words played in the final in London included "inficete" (not witty), "oceanaut" (undersea explorer), "winna" (will not), "nads", slang for testicles and "pee".

But perhaps surprisingly, Mr Nicholson said numbers as well as words were an important factor.