'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' contestant suffers biggest loss in show's history
Nicholas Bennett, a University Challenge alum from West Hampstead, breezed through the earlier rounds and found himself sitting comfortably with £125,000 guaranteed when he faced the final question.
-ITV.
The moment turned tense as Bennett was presented with the £1 million question: "Which of these words, each coined by a famous writer, was derived from the tale of a fairytale about three princes?" The options were A) Pandemonium, B) Serendipity, C) Utopia, and D) Yahoo. Unsure of the answer, Bennett used his Ask Jeremy lifeline, but Clarkson admitted he had no idea. The contestant then phoned a friend, his flatmate Meg, who also couldn't provide a clear answer.
Despite having £500,000 secured, Bennett decided to gamble his winnings. Clarkson, sensing the risk, warned Bennett that he was about to wager a significant sum, £375,000, on a single answer. The host's reminder that "you still go away with a lot" did little to dissuade the contestant. Bennett locked in 'Yahoo' as his final answer, but sadly, he was wrong. The correct answer was 'Serendipity,' and as a result, he walked away with £125,000—no small sum, but a fraction of what he had been on track to win.
Despite the disappointment, Bennett remained remarkably composed. "Still got £125,000," he said with a smile, taking his loss in stride. Clarkson, who had clearly been invested in Bennett's journey, praised him for his approach. "A couple of things I'm trying to work out is, is that the biggest loss we've had in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire history?" he remarked. 'I don't think I've had a contestant that I've enjoyed more than you.'
This dramatic episode comes as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? continues to captivate audiences with high-stakes moments and unexpected twists. The tension on the set was palpable, as viewers watched one of the show's most daring contestants risk it all for the top prize. Clarkson, known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense approach, found himself in the unusual position of reflecting on the outcome with genuine admiration for Bennett's risk-taking.
For Bennett, the experience clearly had its ups and downs, but his optimistic attitude and calm demeanor won him the respect of viewers and the show's host alike. Clarkson's admiration for his contestant's courage seemed to outweigh the loss of the jackpot, as he concluded the segment with a nod to Bennett's entertaining, if ultimately unlucky, run on the show.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
08-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Kelly Clarkson postpones Las Vegas shows after ex-husband's death
Kelly Clarkson is mourning the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who died at the age of 48 following a private three-year battle with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Blackstock's death was confirmed on Thursday, August 7, by his family, who shared that he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The former talent manager, known for representing artists such as Blake Shelton, was married to Clarkson from 2013 until their divorce was finalized in 2022. The couple share two children — daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9. A source told People that Clarkson has been 'devastated' for their children and had remained protective of Blackstock throughout his illness. 'She always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad,' the insider said. Clarkson abruptly postponed the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas residency, Studio Sessions, citing the need to be with her children during this time. In an Instagram post, she explained, 'While I normally keep my personal life private, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.' Despite their highly publicized and contentious divorce, which involved disputes over custody, finances, and property, sources say Clarkson had been caring for Blackstock in his final months. Blackstock is survived by Clarkson's two children and his two older children from a previous marriage, Savannah and Seth. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Express Tribune
07-08-2025
- Express Tribune
How close are Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock post-divorce? Singer halts shows as ex's illness worsens
Kelly Clarkson has postponed her remaining August Las Vegas residency dates after confirming that her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock 'has been ill.' The announcement was made via Instagram where Clarkson stated, 'At this moment, I need to be fully present for [my children].' Clarkson and Blackstock were married from 2013 until she filed for divorce in June 2020. The divorce was finalised in March 2022, concluding a prolonged legal battle. The couple share two children: River Rose, 10, and Remington Alexander, 8. During their divorce proceedings, Clarkson was awarded primary physical custody of their children. In July 2021, a Los Angeles County judge ordered Clarkson to pay Blackstock a one-time payment of $1.3 million, along with $45,601 per month in child support and $115,000 per month in spousal support, starting. In December 2023, a California labour commissioner ruled that Blackstock had overstepped his managerial role by unlawfully securing commercial deals. The court ordered him to repay Clarkson $2.6 million for commissions received from contracts that legally required a talent agent, including deals with The Voice, Wayfair, and Billboard Music Awards. By May 2024, both parties withdrew their claims, formally ending all litigation. Clarkson continues to co-parent with Blackstock and has publicly acknowledged the challenges of shared parenting. In March 2025, she commented, 'There's a lot that I keep in because ... co-parenting is fun,' during an appearance on Not Gonna Lie podcast. Clarkson has also used her music to process the divorce, particularly through her album Chemistry, saying it gave her a healthy outlet for overwhelming emotions.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Love Island fans convinced final six revealed after TikTok video leak
Speculation is mounting among Love Island viewers after a TikTok video appearing to reveal the show's final six contestants circulated online ahead of tonight's episode. According to fan theories, Helena and Blu may be the next couple dumped from the villa, just days before the grand finale. The rumors gained traction after footage surfaced showing six contestants—Dejon, Harry, Cach, Jamie, Conor, and Ty—filming scenes on the streets of Mallorca, with Blu notably absent. In the viral video, the boys are seen walking in a group, followed by camera crews, suggesting they are still active participants in the show. Fans quickly picked up on Blu's absence and the lack of any appearance from Helena, prompting widespread speculation about their exit. The two were previously paired in a friendship couple, after Harry admitted to still having feelings for his former partner, Shakira. Comments on TikTok and other social media platforms reflected viewers' certainty. 'So Blu has gone then!' one user commented, while another added, 'Omg that means Blu and Helena have been dumped!' In the footage, Harry, Cach, Dejon, and Jamie are clearly visible walking in a line, with Ty spotted in the background. The video also shows them high-fiving Conor, further fueling belief that this group makes up the show's final six contestants. ITV has not confirmed the results of tonight's elimination, and official details remain under wraps. However, the apparent leak has already sparked intense fan discussion and speculation online, as the countdown to the final continues.
