Jeremy Clarkson sets record straight after backlash over ‘giving away’ ITV Millionaire answer
Jeremy Clarkson has defended his decision to give away the answer to a question on ITV Who Wants to be a Millionaire Celebrity Special.
The 64-year-old sat down with First Dates host and celebrity maître d’hôtel Fred Sirieix, 53, to give him the chance to earn £1 million for his chosen charity.
Sirieix ended up having a good round, earning £64,000 for his chosen charity The Right Course – which helps prisoners build a new life in the hospitality industry.
However, his quest was nearly ended before it even began as the 53-year-old Frenchman was stumped by the first, £100, question.
“Which of these is a method for staying afloat in a swimming pool? Treading water, drinking water, boiling water or passing water?” Clarkson asked.
“So, it’s defiantly not drinking water. Can’t be boiling water. So, it’s either passing water or treading water,” an unsure Sirieix said working through his options.
The First Dates presenter muttered the words “treading water” and “passing water” to himself several times before decided to use his 50/50 lifeline.
Sirieix was left frustrated as the lifeline eliminated the two options he had already rule out.
After an excruciating few moments, Clarkson piped up: “Ah. Do you know what, I’m going to put you out of MY misery.”
“Treading water is that, as you rightly say,” he said mimicking the action.
“Look over there!” the host then exclaimed, jokingly distracting the cameras so he could mimic urinating while softly commenting, “… passing water”.
An enlightened Sirieix then correctly answered “treading water” to applause from the crowd.
“I don’t know how you worked that out but well done,” Clarkson quipped in response.
After the show, a viewer asked on X: “Is that allowed? @JeremyClarkson is giving away the answer on #Millionaire”
“Not really. But it was for charity, and it was low down the ladder,” the host responded simply.
Responding to his comment, fans were rushed to Clarkson’s defence amid the questions of cheating.
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“Welcome to the greatest hits of ‘things to not be concerned about but someone is anyway,” one wrote.
Another fumed: “Of course someone had to bring this up… It was the first question and was for charity! F*****g ridiculous.”
“Should be more shocked that he actually knows the answer for a change,” a third teased, referencing Clarkson’s often unhelpful answers in the ask the host lifeline.