Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1998)
The iconic British quiz show where one wrong answer stands between contestants and a life-changing £1 million prize.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Series Information
- Original Title: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Steven Knight, David Briggs, Mike Whitehill et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Reality
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 36
- Number of Episodes: 463
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 4, 1998 (United Kingdom - U)
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: Millionaire UK (UK)
- Production Companies: Celador Productions, Carlton UK Productions, 2waytraffic, Victory Television, Stellify Media
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Plot
A game show created in the United Kingdom, in which contestants attempt to answer general knowledge questions in an intimidating atmosphere in order to scoop the £1 million top prize. The original series was hosted by Chris Tarrant, and its modern-day revival is hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold in the hot seat:
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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Steven Knight
- David Briggs
- Mike Whitehill
Main Cast
- Chris Tarrant
- Jeremy Clarkson
- Stephen Fry
- Jeanette Kwakye
- Anton du Beke
- Fred Sirieix
- Roxy Shahidi
- Julie Hesmondhalgh
- Tony Bellew
- Steph McGovern
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - FAQs
Who hosts Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The original series was hosted by Chris Tarrant from 1998 until 2014. When the show was revived, Jeremy Clarkson took over as host. Both presenters brought their own distinct style to the hot seat, keeping the tension and drama that made the format a global phenomenon.
Has anyone actually won the £1 million prize?
Yes, a handful of contestants have walked away with the full £1 million. The most famous is Charles Ingram, who won in 2001 but was later convicted of deception. Judith Keppel became the first legitimate winner in 2000, followed by Robert Brydges in 2001 and Pat Gibson in 2004.
When did Who Wants to Be a Millionaire first air?
The show made its debut on ITV1 on September 4, 1998, in the United Kingdom. It quickly became a massive ratings hit, drawing tens of millions of viewers and spawning dozens of international adaptations within just a few years of its launch.
Is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire still on TV?
The show is still very much alive. After a hiatus, it returned to ITV1 with Jeremy Clarkson as host and continues to air new episodes. With 36 seasons and 463 episodes to date, it remains one of British television's most enduring and beloved quiz formats.
What is the Coughing Major scandal about?
In 2001, Major Charles Ingram was accused of cheating his way to the £1 million prize with the help of his wife Diana and an accomplice who coughed to signal correct answers. All three were convicted of procuring a pecuniary advantage by deception. The scandal was later dramatised in the ITV series Quiz (2020).
How many seasons does Who Wants to Be a Millionaire have?
The series has run for 36 seasons, comprising 463 episodes in total. Season lengths have varied considerably over the years, ranging from compact runs of 5 episodes to longer seasons of 30 episodes, reflecting the show's evolving broadcast strategy across more than two decades on ITV1.
Who created Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The show was created by Steven Knight, David Briggs, and Mike Whitehill. It was produced by Celador Productions and first broadcast on ITV1 in 1998. The format proved so successful that it was sold to broadcasters around the world, becoming one of the most widely adapted game show formats in television history.
What are some shows similar to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Fans of the show often enjoy other high-stakes quiz and game formats. Deal or No Deal offers tense decision-making without the questions, while The Price Is Right and Lingo deliver classic game show thrills. For a more modern feel, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses and The Traitors bring competitive edge and drama.
More About Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
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