Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show) is a long-running and phenomenally successful television quiz show broadcast on ITV. Created by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight for the production company Celador, it debuted in 1998 and popularized the high-stakes, multiple-choice format with its dramatic tension and iconic lifelines. Hosted for its first sixteen years by Chris Tarrant, the programme has awarded several top prizes of one million pounds, becoming a cornerstone of British popular culture and spawning a vast international franchise.

Format

The core format involves a single contestant answering a series of fifteen multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty for escalating cash amounts, culminating in the top prize. The distinctive visual style, characterized by dramatic lighting, a solitary chair, and the famous "final answer" catchphrase, was developed by director David L. G. Hughes. The programme's tense atmosphere is amplified by a soundtrack composed by Keith Strachan and Matthew Strachan, particularly the "Think Music." This format, protected by a landmark legal case against Sony Pictures Television, has been licensed and adapted in over 160 territories worldwide, including the highly successful American version on ABC.

History

The show was conceived in the late 1990s by a team at Celador, with its first pilot recorded in 1997. It launched on ITV on 4 September 1998 as a two-week event, but its immediate popularity led to a rapid commission for a full series. The programme became a ratings juggernaut, often drawing over 19 million viewers at its peak. Production moved from Celador to 2waytraffic and later Stellify Media following a major rights acquisition by Sony Pictures Television. After Chris Tarrant's departure in 2014, the show was revived in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson as host, produced for ITV by Stellify Media.

Hosts

Chris Tarrant was the definitive host from the show's inception in 1998 until his final episode in 2014, his presenting style integral to its success. Following a four-year hiatus, the programme was revived in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson assuming hosting duties, bringing a different but equally prominent persona to the role. Occasional celebrity and charity specials have featured guest hosts, including notable figures from BAFTA-winning television and other ITV programmes.

Gameplay

Contestants must correctly answer fifteen questions, with values ranging from £100 to £1,000,000. They have three lifelines: "50:50", "Ask the Audience", and "Phone a Friend". The questions cover a vast range of topics, from history and science to entertainment and sport. A critical rule is that contestants can walk away with their accumulated winnings at any time before answering a question. The highest prize was first won in 2000 by Judith Keppel, a moment that made national headlines. Other major winners include David Edwards and Pat Gibson.

Episodes

The series has produced over 1,500 episodes across more than 30 series, including regular civilian editions, numerous celebrity specials for Comic Relief and other charities, and themed weeks. Landmark episodes, such as the Charles Ingram cheating scandal in 2001, which led to a trial at Southwark Crown Court, became major media events. The programme's scheduling has varied from prime-time weekly strips to seasonal event series, maintaining a consistent presence on the ITV schedule for decades.

Impact and Legacy

The show's impact on television and popular culture is immense. It revolutionized quiz show formats and prize structures, leading to a global franchise overseen by Sony Pictures Television. The 2001 scandal involving Charles Ingram inspired the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire and the stage play Quiz. Its catchphrases and format are deeply ingrained in British culture, influencing everything from BBC programming to pub quizzes. The programme's success also sparked significant legal battles over format rights, setting important precedents in English law regarding intellectual property in television.