Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? winners – and the answers that won them the money
Only a select few contestants have walked away with the grand prize on the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? quiz show.
Since Judith Keppel became the first UK champion in 2000, only a handful have followed in her winning ways.
Charles Ingram went all the way in September 2001 but infamously never received his prize money after being accused of cheating in the so-called “coughing major” scam.
Another contestant, Andrew Townsley, came close in May this year, but the retired doctor decided to play it safe and walked away with half-a-million pounds.
Following Donald Fear’s win on Friday night, here is a list of the previous winners and their million-pound questions. The answers are at the bottom.
1. Judith Keppel (2000)
Judith Keppel was the first UK winner in November 2000. A distant relative of the Duchess of Cornwall, she has appeared on BBC show Eggheads since 2003.
Ms Keppel remains the only woman to have won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Her winning question: Which king was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine?
A. Henry I. B. Henry II. C. Richard I. D. Henry V.
2. David Edwards (2001)
David Edwards was a member of Mensa and a winner of Mastermind so his triumph on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in April 2001 should have perhaps come as no surprise.
He was the first male winner.
His winning question: If you planted the seeds of Quercus robur, what would grow?
A. Trees. B. Flowers. C. Vegetables. D. Grain.
3. Robert Brydges (2001)
Retired banker Robert Brydges stormed his way to the jackpot 11 days after the infamous coughing scandal had rocked Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
He was also in the studio audience on the night Charles Ingram “won” the show.
His winning question: Which scientific unit is named after an Italian nobleman?
A. Pascal. B. Ohm. C. Volt. D. Hertz.
4. Pat Gibson (2004)
Pat Gibson crossed the millionaire mark in April 2004.
In 2018, he was ranked the number one quizzer in the world. He also joined the expert panel on BBC quiz show Eggheads.
His winning question: Which of these is not one of the American Triple Crown horse races?
A. Arlington Million. B. Belmont Stakes. C. Kentucky Derby. D. Preakness Stakes.
5. Ingram Wilcox (2006)
Ingram Wilcox won in September 2006.
The retired civil service worker had been a contestant on Mastermind.
His winning question: Which boxer was famous for striking the gong in the introduction to J Arthur Rank films?
A. Bombardier Billy Wells. B. Freddie Mills. C. Terry Spinks. D. Don Cockell.
And the million that was never claimed…
6. Charles Ingram (2001)
Perhaps the most infamous quiz show contestant in history, Charles Ingram looked to have won the jackpot before being accused of cheating his way to the prize in September 2001.
He was denied the money after suspicions were raised, and along with his wife Diana and another accomplice, was convicted of deception after a trial in 2003.
The scandal was dramatised earlier this year in ITV’s acclaimed series Quiz.
His final question: A number one followed by 100 zeros is known by what name?
A. Googol. B. Megatron. C. Gigabit. D. Nanomole.
Answers:
1. B – Henry II
2. A – Trees
3. C – Volt
4. A – Arlington Million
5. A – Bombardier Billy Wells
6. A – Googol
