'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' is returning with a brand new host
It's to mark the 20th anniversary!
Author: Alex RossPublished 9th Mar 2018 Last updated 9th Mar 2018
Believe it or not, it has been 20 years since the first ever episode of hit ITV game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? aired in the UK. And to celebrate the anniversary, bosses have confirmed the popular show will return with a brand new celebrity host.
The classic show is set to return for a week of hour long episodes later in the Spring, with The Grand Tour's Jeremy Clarkson hosting the show.
Speaking about the return of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Jeremy said, "I have always loved the show and am thrilled to be involved with its rebirth. I’m a big fan of quiz shows and I’m looking forward to hosting this iconic TV show and hopefully making a few millionaires!"
The seven new celebratory shows will follow exactly the same format as they used to, contestants will be asked 15 questions on their way to that all important ÂŁ1,0000,000, with the help of the three lifelines, ask the audience, ask a friend and 50:50.
Admitting she wants the show to be introduced to a brand new generation, Siobhan Greene, Head of Entertainment at ITV said, “It felt like a no brainer to celebrate a show that was a trail blazer of its time and broke the mould. In doing this one off special week, I hope Millionaire will be introduced to a whole new generation. And with TV legend Jeremy Clarkson asking the questions, frankly anything could happen. I can’t wait.”
The show, which was previously hosted by Chris Tarrant, last hit our TV screens back in 2014. In its early days the show was insanely popular with viewers, with one episode gaining an impressive 19 million viewers.
Over its 16 years on the box, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has produced a number of winners, with Judith Keppel becoming the first ever winner of the show in 2000. She's still to date the only woman to win the show.
Watch her winning moment below:
As well as Judith, five other people won the show including David Edwards, Pat Gibson, Ingram Wilcox and Charles Ingram. However, after his victory in 2001, Charles' payout was suspended by ITV when he was accused of having his wife in the audience as an accomplice.
Over 160 versions of the show have aired across the world since the first episode back in 1998. These include countries such as India, America, Australia, Spain and China.
The new series of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? will air on ITV later in the Spring.
Now take a look at the original names of some of your favourite TV shows:
Friends
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'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' is returning with a brand new host
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Six of One
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Only Fools and Horses
We know it as Only Fools and Horses with Del Boy's infamous Reliant Regal Supervan.
Readies or Big Brother
But it was originally due to be called Readies or Big Brother. Good job they went with Only Fools and Horses, then!
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory could have been called something a lot less catchy...
Lenny, Penny and Kenny
Yep - Sheldon was very nearly called Kenny!
Saturday Night Live
US variety show Saturday Night Live is well known around the world - here's Star Wars actor Adam Driver introducing the show.
Hannah Montana, was a musical comedy starring Miley Cyrus in the lead role and was named after the main character, but it could have been very different.
Alexis Texas
The lead character was originally going to be called Alexis Texas... Which means that the show would also have been called Alexis Texas!
Lost
The gripping TV show Lost, starring Terry O'Quinn as John Locke (pictured), kept people guessing the ending for years.
Nowhere
Lost could have been called Nowhere!
New Girl
Known as New Girl, the TV show starring Zooey Deschanel as kooky teacher Jess Day could have been called something else entirely.
Chicks and D---s
While New Girl was the name they finally settled on, it had a much ruder working title - and Zooey Deschanel refused to sign onto the project whilst that was the name.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Supernatural TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a hit in the late 90s and early 00s. It was named after the lead character Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Slayers
It was originally going to be called Slayers.
The Good Wife
Known as The Good Wife, the TV series starred Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart (pictured), as a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm.
Leave the B-----d
The series, which also starred Sex and the City's Chris Noth (pictured), was originally going to be called Leave the B-----d.
NCIS
NCIS finished its 14th season earlier this year - this moment is from the gripping season finale.
NavyNCIS
Starring Duane Henry, Emily Wickersham, and Wilmer Valderrama (above) NCIS was originally going to be called NavyNCIS.
Friends
We all know and love it as Friends, but the TV show could have been called something very different...
Six of One
Six Of One just doesn't have the same ring to it! Here are the cast Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow,
Only Fools and Horses
We know it as Only Fools and Horses with Del Boy's infamous Reliant Regal Supervan.
Readies or Big Brother
But it was originally due to be called Readies or Big Brother. Good job they went with Only Fools and Horses, then!
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory could have been called something a lot less catchy...
Lenny, Penny and Kenny
Yep - Sheldon was very nearly called Kenny!
Saturday Night Live
US variety show Saturday Night Live is well known around the world - here's Star Wars actor Adam Driver introducing the show.
Hannah Montana, was a musical comedy starring Miley Cyrus in the lead role and was named after the main character, but it could have been very different.
Alexis Texas
The lead character was originally going to be called Alexis Texas... Which means that the show would also have been called Alexis Texas!
Lost
The gripping TV show Lost, starring Terry O'Quinn as John Locke (pictured), kept people guessing the ending for years.
Nowhere
Lost could have been called Nowhere!
New Girl
Known as New Girl, the TV show starring Zooey Deschanel as kooky teacher Jess Day could have been called something else entirely.
Chicks and D---s
While New Girl was the name they finally settled on, it had a much ruder working title - and Zooey Deschanel refused to sign onto the project whilst that was the name.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Supernatural TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a hit in the late 90s and early 00s. It was named after the lead character Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Slayers
It was originally going to be called Slayers.
The Good Wife
Known as The Good Wife, the TV series starred Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart (pictured), as a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm.
Leave the B-----d
The series, which also starred Sex and the City's Chris Noth (pictured), was originally going to be called Leave the B-----d.
NCIS
NCIS finished its 14th season earlier this year - this moment is from the gripping season finale.
NavyNCIS
Starring Duane Henry, Emily Wickersham, and Wilmer Valderrama (above) NCIS was originally going to be called NavyNCIS.
