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Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The 1% Club viewers stunned as Lee Mack reveals real name – but did you know it?
He first rose to fame in 1995 at the Edinburgh Fringe MACK-XED OUT The 1% Club viewers stunned as Lee Mack reveals real name – but did you know it? VIEWERS of The 1% Club were left completely stunned as Lee Mack revealed real name. The comedian first rose to fame when he wrote and appeared on the BBC One sitcom, Not Going Out. 5 Lee Mack stunned viewers of The 1% Club when he revealed his real name Credit: ITV 5 He hosts the smash-hit ITV game show which tests players on their reasoning skills, logic and common sense Credit: ITV He also appears as a regular panelist on the comedy panel show, Would I Lie to You?, alongside David Mitchell and Rob Brydon. Recently on ITV, the Southport-born comedian has reigned over the primetime airwaves on Saturday nights as he hosts The 1% Club. The game show is not like other similar formats as it does not test players on general knowledge. Instead, 100 players are whittled down as they are tasked with solving seemingly difficult riddles. These are focused on reasoning skills, logic, and common sense that only a certain amount of the general public would answer correctly. On a recent edition, presenter Lee Mack, 56, left the audience stunned when he revealed his real name. When Lee reveals the correct answer on the hit show, often he will interview players. He would often make jokes about either their names, their looks, or even their occupations. The instalment featured one contestant who said their surname was McKillop. Lee then revealed that the family moniker was actually his real surname as well, which left the audience completely stunned. Easy question on The 1% Club wipes out 12 people – but did you get it right? In 1995, he first received recognition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival when he won the So You Think You're Funny competition as Lee McKillop. Before becoming famous for his roles on television, he cleaned stables for the legendary race horse, and three-time Grand National champion, Red Rum. According to Wales Online, he secured the job despite having never ridden a horse before, after failing his O-Levels and leaving college. One of his initial TV sketches focussed on a quick-witter racing jockey on The Sketch Show and it could have been inspired by his exposure to the racing world from a young age. In 2005, Lee married his university crush, Tara Mckillop in an intimate and private ceremony. The year before, they welcomed their first child Arlo, and have since expanded their family with two more additions, Louise and Millie. 5 The audience was left stunned when one contestant shared the same second moniker Credit: ITV 5 Lee's real surname is McKillop and he first rose to fame in 1995 Credit: Getty 5 On the show, the presenter often shares jokes with the contestants after they give their answers Credit: ITV The 1% Club continues on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The 1% Club viewers stunned as Lee Mack reveals real name – but did you know it?
VIEWERS of The 1% Club were left completely stunned as Lee Mack revealed real name. The comedian first rose to fame when he wrote and appeared on the BBC One sitcom, 5 Lee Mack stunned viewers of The 1% Club when he revealed his real name Credit: ITV 5 He hosts the smash-hit ITV game show which tests players on their reasoning skills, logic and common sense Credit: ITV He also appears as a regular panelist on the comedy panel show, Recently on ITV, the Southport-born comedian has reigned over the primetime airwaves on Saturday nights as he hosts The 1% Club. The game show is not like other similar formats as it does not test players on general knowledge. Instead, 100 players are whittled down as they are tasked with solving seemingly difficult riddles. READ MORE ON LEE MACK These are focused on reasoning skills, logic, and common sense that only a certain amount of the general public would answer correctly. On a recent edition, presenter When Lee reveals the correct answer on the hit show, often he will interview players. He would often make jokes about Most read in News TV The instalment featured one contestant who said their surname was McKillop. Lee then revealed that the family moniker was actually his real surname as well, which left the audience completely stunned. Easy question on The 1% Club wipes out 12 people – but did you get it right? In 1995, he first received recognition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival when he won the So You Think You're Funny competition as Lee McKillop. Before becoming famous for his roles on television, he cleaned stables for the legendary race horse, and three-time Grand National champion, According to Wales Online, he secured the job despite having never ridden a horse before, after failing his O-Levels and leaving college. One of his initial TV sketches focussed on a quick-witter racing jockey on The Sketch Show and it could have been inspired by his exposure to the racing world from a young age. The 1% Club's Most Difficult Questions The 1% Club sees 100 contestants try and make it to the 1% question and be in with a chance to win a share of the jackpot. Here are just some of the show's most difficult teasers. Players had to compare and contrast three images of butterflies then explain which of the butterflies were exactly the same on both sides. Players were shown groups of six symbols then asked which were in the same order whether you read them from left to right or right to left. Players were asked how many different combinations were there of displaying four digits on one hand. Peter had recently found his old diary that he'd written in secret code but he couldn't remember how to decipher what he wrote. Players were asked to crack the code and find out what the bold word was. WH89 I GR1W UP I WA92 21 B8 A 5L1RI72. Players were tasked with working out how many eyes they could see in an image, which was made up of letters, symbols and emojis. A 1% question was based on a grid of numbers going in ascending order from 1 to 49. Starting on 25, the middle square, SEEN took you to square 27. From there, NEW took you to 20. From there, which square would SEWN take you to? And finally, an easy one - What common food in bold has had its letters rearranged into alphabetical order? ABDER In 2005, Lee married his university crush, Tara Mckillop in an intimate and private ceremony. The year before, they welcomed their first child Arlo, and have since expanded their family with two more additions, Louise and Millie. 5 The audience was left stunned when one contestant shared the same second moniker Credit: ITV 5 Lee's real surname is McKillop and he first rose to fame in 1995 Credit: Getty 5 On the show, the presenter often shares jokes with the contestants after they give their answers Credit: ITV The 1% Club continues on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
1% Club fans can't get over host Lee Mack's real name
Lee Mack is best known for hosting ITV's The 1% Club and appearing on panel shows like Would I Lie To You?, but did you know the comedian's name isn't quite as it seems? Lee Mack, renowned for his sharp humour on panel shows like Would I Lie To You? and his sitcom Not Going Out, is currently reigning over Saturday night telly with his captivating ITV gameshow. The 1% Club sees 100 contestants attempt to bag up to £100,000 by answering IQ test-style questions, with participants being knocked out as the game advances. The quiz frequently leaves viewers at home fuming – either because the questions are too easy or, alternatively, seemingly-impossible to answer. One question involving a missing word in some sentences left fans baffled and the contestant walking away with nothing. Meanwhile, another question to scoop the final £96,000 prize had people annoyed as they branded it a simple 'wordsearch', while another involving a sequence of letters was called the 'easiest ever'. Lee is quick to talk about the player's jobs and sometimes even jokes about their names, but were you aware that Lee Mack isn't even the star's actual name? If your answer was 'no', then you're not alone, as even The 1% Club's contestants appeared taken aback when Lee admitted it on the programme. In a recent episode, a contestant disclosed that their surname was McKillop. The audience was left stunned when Lee revealed that it's his real surname as well. It appears that the Southport-born comedian, who first gained recognition at the 1995 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, was indeed born Lee McKillop. Before he became a familiar face on primetime television, Lee had an intriguing first job – cleaning stables for the legendary racehorse Red Rum, the three-time Grand National champion. After failing his O-Levels and leaving college, Lee found himself in a difficult situation but managed to secure the role, despite never having ridden a horse before, according to Wales Online. Incredibly, the first horse Lee ever mounted was the legendary Red Rum. This early exposure to the racing world may have sparked the inspiration for one of his initial TV sketches about a quick-witted jockey on The Sketch Show. Beyond his equine escapades, 56 year old Lee is a huge darts fan and often enjoys a game with former Not Going Out co-star Tim Vine. He even held two world records in darts, both achieved on the same day whilst filming TV show Let's Play Darts back in 2015. The first record was for the most darts hitting the number two section in one minute, and the second for the most inner and outer bullseyes in a minute. Unfortunately, his two world records were surpassed by Ricky Evans and James Wade in 2020 and 2016, respectively. Lee married his university sweetheart, Tara Mckillop, in a private ceremony back in 2005. The couple welcomed their first child, Arlo, in 2004 and have since expanded their family with two more children – Louie and Millie. The family of five now lives in Surrey.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sven-Göran Eriksson's brutal advice which sparked major change for Lee Mack
Lee Mack has revealed the rather brutal advice he received from the late Sven-Göran Eriksson about playing football which flicked a switch in the comedian and actor's brain Sven-Göran Eriksson was arguably one of footballs best managers and his words of wisdom hit home for Lee Mack. The comedian and actor worked with the late manager on a documentary several years before Sven tragically died aged 76 last year. Over the course of his career, the former right-back went on to become the coach of the England national team, Leicester City and S.L. Benfica, picking up invaluable experience which he put to use when he worked with Soccer Aid as the England manager in 2021. Prior to filming the documentary, Lee had played for the England team and took three penalties – missing out on each opportunity. But it was a few words of advice from Sven which saw Lee's outlook on the match completely change. "We did a documentary of me as the old player building up to being in Soccer Aid for the fourth time," Lee told the Mirror. The 56-year-old Not Going Out Star went on to add: "It was an hour special on ITV, we got the late great Sven involved and he basically told me what I needed to do and then I went and did it. 'Go and practice your penalties, go and get fit, start acting like a footballer. "At the end of it, he sacked me and said 'You can't play for England, go and play for World XI' – I think it was very clear that the whole thing was just one big sketch and the reality is, I just decided it's only fair that I share out the badness. I'd been bad for England for quite a few years – you share the love, so you've got to share the badness as well." Lee joked that after years of playing for England, he made the decision to join World XI thanks to his Irish heritage. He said: "So I thought I'll even up the sides by playing for the other side. It worked out for the best because I scored. I do think European footballers do have a slightly better understanding – you're only as good as the weakest player, they're a bit more encouraging than some of the vocal England players." But while it's "great fun" the comic admits that European footballers are very different to English players. He explained: "Look at Arsene Wenger, he was the first manager not to scream at the players. He came in and sort of talked gently and more analytically to players and it worked out for the best. We're still that mentality of 'roll your sleeves up and scream.'" This year, the Southport-born star is returning to Soccer Aid for the eighth time, alongside players including Gorka Márquez, Martin Compston, and YouTube star TBJZL. They'll be joined by footballing legends, Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidić and Leonardo Bonucci as they battle against Tom Grennan, Louis Tomlinson, Joe Hart, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney. Speaking about the event, Lee said: "Every year, without this, I wouldn't do any exercise. Every year I go 'Right, I've got to get fit,' so a few years ago, I bought a treadmill and every year it gets later and later. Last year, I think I went on it the night before." But although it's his eighth call up, each year he's left thinking that he won't play again. He explained: "I assume every year they're not going to ask me back so it's very exciting when I get the call. I am at that age where I do think after each one, even if they ask me I better say no because it takes months and months to feel better again. "But when the call comes and says 'Do you want to do it?' I always go 'Yeah, definitely.'" But he teased that each year he's the "oldest outfield player" so he has to deal with physical ailments each year. Lee joked that his job is essentially a "goal hanger". But he soon realised when he first started playing Soccer Aid that he can't stay in one spot on the pitch, "it's exhausting," he joked. He added: "You've got to get a bit fit, the training is three days and each day is a couple of hours – at my age you don't play football three days on the run, then you play the match so it's four days on the run. I'm used to playing once a week with local dads." Since Soccer Aid launched 20 years ago, over £106 million has been raised for UNCIEF, with records continuing to be broken each year. "It doesn't seem to slow down in any way," Lee said, adding that while Soccer Aid was previously held once every two years he imagined it would be harder to draw in crowds and cash each year. "People love it, the stadium always sells out," he said, adding: "The money raised seems to keep going up, I'm very proud to be a part of it – the money raised is incredible." He adds that the cash raised is "an abstract concept" as it's hard to imagine seeing £100 million looks like. "When you see it in action, when they tell you what £100 or £20 buys, it's great."
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lee Mack admits he's terrible at The 1% Club questions - and his kids often beat him
Lee Mack has revealed an insight into ITV's toughest gameshow The 1% Club and admits while contestants are often baffled – the questions also confuse him Lee Mack has revealed his three children often beat him at The 1% Club questions – despite him hearing the questions dozens of times. The actor and comedian fronts the ITV show which sees contestants grilled on questions based off of common knowledge and logic, rather than general knowledge. Each week, fans of the programme which has averaged over 4 million viewers per series are left baffled by the questions which even the contestants struggle with. However, well into its fourth series, host Lee, 56, admits that although he sees the questions before the contestants, he struggles to remember them and is left baffled. "All the time," he said when asked if he ever finds himself thinking "what the hell?" when he sees them. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Lee added: "I have to be prepared, so it's not the first time I've read them. But in the rehearsals in the afternoon, the producers come and see me and we play the game – just the three of us to see if I can answer them as well. "But yeah, I'm as confused as everybody else." When the show airs on screens, often months after filming, Lee and his family sit down to play the game at home. And although he'll have seen the questions countless times – he still struggles to get them right. The comedian added: "My memory is so bad, my kids love playing it – they it very seriously with a pen, paper and scorecard. When we play, I'm allowed to play because they know I won't remember the answer from when I've filmed it. And I still don't win!" It may be just five months into the year but Southport-born Lee has no plans to slow down any time soon. "More 1% Club coming up this year," he revealed. "More Would I Lie To You? and then more Not Going Out – so it's the same as it has been for the last 17 years," Lee laughed before adding: And now, more Soccer Aid which is added to the list of things I do every year. But my immediate thing is Soccer Aid, I've just got to stay on the treadmill. "Every year, without this, I wouldn't do any exercise. Every year I go 'Right, I've got to get fit,' so a few years ago, I bought a treadmill and every year it gets later and later. Last year, I think I went on it the night before." This year, Lee is returning to Soccer Aid for UNICEF for the eighth time. Speaking about being called up for the World XI squad again, Lee said: "I assume every year they're not going to ask me back so it's very exciting when I get the call. I am at that age where I do think after each one, even if they ask me I better say no because it takes months and months to feel better again. "But when the call comes and says 'Do you want to do it?' I always go 'Yeah, definitely.'" But he teased that each year he's the "oldest outfield player" so he has to deal with physical ailments each year. Lee joked that his job is essentially a "goal hanger". But he soon realised when he first started playing Soccer Aid that he can't stay in one spot on the pitch, "it's exhausting," he joked. He added: "You've got to get a bit fit, the training is three days and each day is a couple of hours – at my age you don't play football three days on the run, then you play the match so it's four days on the run. I'm used to playing once a week with local dads." Since Soccer Aid launched 20 years ago, over £106 million has been raised for UNCIEF, with records continuing to be broken each year. "It doesn't seem to slow down in any way," Lee said, adding that while Soccer Aid was previously held once every two years he imagined it would be harder to draw in crowds and cash each year. "People love it, the stadium always sells out," he said, adding: "The money raised seems to keep going up, I'm very proud to be a part of it – the money raised is incredible." He adds that the cash raised is "an abstract concept" as it's hard to imagine seeing £100 million looks like. "When you see it in action, when they tell you what £100 or £20 buys, it's great."
