Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? viewers felt the tension as a contestant was asked the jackpot question for the first time since 2006.
English teacher John Robinson raced through the questions on Monday night’s episode of the ITV show, before arriving at the final hurdle with no lifelines left.
It was the first time viewers had seen the show’s biggest question since 2006 and the first time host Jeremy Clarkson has seen a contestant get to the final round since he took over hosting from Chris Tarrant in 2018.
For the million pound question, Robinson had to say which former UK prime minister had never served as foreign secretary.
However, he was unable to choose from Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home.
“I didn’t actually ever believe I’d say this, but I’m going to, this is your question for a million pounds” – Which of these UK prime ministers never served as foreign secretary? #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire
— Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (@MillionaireUK) March 4, 2019
Deciding he was not willing to risk so much money, Robinson took the £500,000.
Afterwards, Clarkson said: “What a player, what a fabulous player” and called the game play “extraordinary”.
And that’s the end of John Robinson’s amazing run in the chair! 🤑 £500,000 for our English teacher from Birmingham 👏 👏 👏 #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire pic.twitter.com/LfP7h98V8o
— Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (@MillionaireUK) March 4, 2019
Viewers said watching Robinson climb up the ladder had been stressful.
One person posted on Twitter: “Never been so tense watching an episode of @MillionaireUK HE IS AT £500K AND IS 1 QUESTION AWAY FROM WINNING £1M.”
Never been so tense watching an episode of @MillionaireUK HE IS AT £500K AND IS 1 QUESTION AWAY FROM WINNING £1M #whowantstobeamillionaire
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) March 4, 2019
“Anyone else actually feel stressed watching this ep of #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire or is it just me?” asked another.
Anyone else actually feel stressed watching this ep of #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire or is it just me pic.twitter.com/TpBtOs0OIF
— Grace 👸🏼 (@grace_looker) March 4, 2019
Another person said they were too gripped to not switch over for This Time With Alan Partridge.
“This Time can wait… My anxiety can’t take this! This man is incredible!” the person posted.
This Time can wait… My anxiety can't take this! This man is incredible! #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire
— Aaron (@iamaaron_uk) March 4, 2019
There have been five £1 million winners since Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? started on UK television in 1998.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? continues on ITV all week.