A contestant on the popular ITV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire became the show’s second-biggest loser ever after getting a sports question wrong – but how would you have got on?
On Bank Holiday Sunday, the classic show aired on ITV with Jeremy Clarkson hosting.
Just last week, Roman Dubowski got all 15 questions correct to become the first winner in six years and only the seventh in the show’s history to scoop the million-pound jackpot.
However, for Jen Essery Lillikakis, things didn’t go quite so well.
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During Sunday’s show, Lillikakis lost a whopping £186,000 after incorrectly answering the £500,000 question. She did, however, walk away with £64,000 to put towards her upcoming honeymoon.
Had she chosen to skip the £500,000 question, her winnings could have reached £250,000. Instead, she got a sports-related question wrong and had to settle for just over £60,000.
Jen was asked: “According to Guinness World Records, which of these has travelled at over 260 miles per hour during a competitive game or match? Tennis ball / Ice hockey puck / Badminton shuttlecock / Table tennis ball.”
Appearing unsure, she decided to call her father, who was equally confused. The contestant ultimately concluded that the answer was an ice hockey puck – which was incorrect, with the correct answer being a shuttlecock.
Upon informing Lillikakis of her incorrect answer, Clarkson said: “Oh my God, you have just lost £186,000! It is unbelievable you took a punt on that. You need a bravery award for that.”
“Well, that’s fine,” she responded. “I’ve also won £64,000.”
The host added: "What's staggering me is the correct answer is a badminton shuttlecock. Honestly, I'm really, that is unbelievable that it's a badminton shuttlecock.
"It's also unbelievable you took a punt on that. You need a bravery award for that. You really genuinely do. Ladies and gentlemen, a truly great competitor!"
Viewers were quick to take to social media to share their thoughts.
One said: “Silly contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? gambling £250k and losing it, then laughing about it. Who in their right mind throws £250k away for £64k?”
Another added: “The lady on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Who has just lost £186k obviously doesn’t need the money as she didn’t seem upset. Why didn’t she just take £250k instead of trying to win £500k when she didn’t know the answer? The £64k she won was nice, but she could have had £250k.”
A third commented: “Imagine taking a punt on a question you don’t know and losing £186k on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? She’s obviously minted.”
While a fourth exclaimed: “Just watched Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? They need to put a time limit on answers. Contestant gambled on a £500k question and lost. Pure greed.”
Luke Davies