Who Wants to be a Millionaire jackpot question that stumped quiz show contestant

31 January 2024 , 19:30

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Andrew Townsley got all the way to the final question but did not win the jackpot (Image: ITV)

One question stopped him from bagging £1 million - and it's an easy one for some.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is one of the most popular quiz shows on telly, and it's one that many Brits will have considered applying to be on so they can have their shot at winning a life-changing sum. But while it's easy to sit at home and answer the questions without the pressure of the lights and the live audience, it's a whole different ball game when you're actually on the show - and to date, only six people have ever won the £1 million jackpot.

Andrew was stumped by the 15th and final question (ITV)

In May 2020, retired doctor Andrew Townsley appeared on the ITV quiz show with the hopes of becoming the sixth person to win the jackpot. However, he was stumped by the 15th and final question which saw him fall short of the mark, and the honour eventually went to Donald Fear, who won the show in September that year.

Andrew didn't answer the final question and instead walked away with £500,000 - but if you had been in his position, would you have given it a go? And more importantly, do you think you'd have got the right answer?

Here's the question Andrew was asked: "In the history of motorsport, which of these iconic races was held first?", he was then given four possible answers, which were:

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• Le Mans 24 Hours

• Monaco Grand Prix

• Indy 500
• Isle of Man TT

Do you know the answer? For those among us with a keen interest in motorsport, the answer might seem obvious and if you had been on the show then you would have confidently bagged yourself £1 million. But for the rest of us who aren't avid racing fans, picking an answer is a complete stab in the dark - and you've only got a 25% chance of getting it right.

Before Andrew walked away with the money he had won so far, £500,000, he used his final lifeline and called his friend Elsa to ask if she knew the answer - but she didn't. He said: "I don't know the answer and it's just too much money to lose. Having got so far and to go on a whim I think would be foolish and Niagara Falls is looking very nice at this time."

After deciding he wouldn't be answering the question, host Jeremy Clarkson then asked him what he would have said if he'd been forced to answer. Devastatingly, Andrew said he would've picked the Isle of Man TT - which Jeremy told him was the correct answer and would have won him £1 million.

Did you answer the question correctly? Let us know in the comments!

Zahna Eklund