Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestant misses out on $1million because of this question

Publish Date
Thursday, 14 May 2020, 1:53PM

Retired Scottish doctor Andrew Townsley could have been the first person in 14 years to take home the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire £1million jackpot had it not been for this one question ...

Viewers were left on the edge of their seats as Townsley made it to the final question during his time in the hot seat opposite host Jeremy Clarkson.

Townsley was asked: "In the history of motor sport, which of these iconic races was held first?"

His potential answers were: A. Le Mans 24 Hours B. Indy 500 C. Monaco Grand Prix D. Island of Man TT.

Unsure of the answer, Townsley used his 'phone a friend' lifeline to ask his friend Elsa, who also didn't know the answer.

Agonisingly, the Scotsman doubted himself and decided to walk away with his safety net amount of £500,000.

Explaining his decision, Townsley - who appeared on the show in a wheelchair and has progressive multiple sclerosis - said he wanted the money to pay for a holiday.

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"I don't know the answer and it's just too much money to lose," he said.

"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."

In another twist, the former medical worker revealed to Clarkson that had he chosen, he would've gone for the Isle of Man TT, which turned out to be correct.

"If you'd said the Isle of Man TT, there would be tinsel landing on your head," the disappointed presenter said.

The last person to take home the grand prize was Ingram Wilcox. Other contestants to emerge victorious include Pat Gibson in 2004, David Edwards and Robert Brydges in 2001 and Judith Keppel back in 2000.

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