Solicitor’s word is law in Scrabble

A Belfast solicitor has become the first person living outside England to be crowned UK National Scrabble champion.

Paul Gallen, 26, beat Liverpool accountant Olawale Fashina, 43, in the final in London.

He used high-scoring words such as “neonates” — to do with children and pregnancy — which was worth 71 points and helped him to establish a 100-point lead.

It is the fifth time he has beaten Mr Fashina, who won back in 2005.

He collected €3,000 for his efforts and is expected to spend the money on a trip abroad.

Mr Gallen first started to take the game seriously after being crowned ‘champion of champions’ on the Channel Four television show Countdown in 2006.

He said he had been uncertain of his win in a close challenge.

“My opponent won the first game so I thought I was in a bit of trouble,” he said.

“I kind of just looked at how he played and knew there was not much I could do if I made a mistake.”