Jeremy Clarkson has been urged to reimburse a contestant who appeared on the latest episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire after they left with £1,000.
Contestant Jamie Eidman was the final player to step up to the table in Sunday’s episode, and after securing £8,000, she needed the ITV presenter to lend a hand with the next question.
Ms Eidman admitted she didn’t want to set her safety net at £16,000, meaning that if she were to get the question wrong, she would lose the £8,000 banked and walk away with £1,000.
Mr Clarkson put the probe to Ms Eidman: “Which of these materials is made by buffing the underside of animal hide to create a soft, textured finish?”
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jamie Eidman
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ITV
The options were chiffon, velvet, suede, and moleskin. It quickly emerged that Ms Eidman didn’t know.
“I wouldn’t think it was chiffon,” she mused. “I would probably be between suede and moleskin, I think. But I really don’t know.
“I think on this one I would like to use 50-50,” Ms Eidman said. “I’m hoping chiffon’s left.”
Sadly for Ms Eidman, the computer left suede and moleskin as the two possible answers. “The two I was between,” she agonised.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jeremy Clarkson opted for Moleskin
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ITV
“I really don’t know, and I don’t think either of my phone-a-friends would have a clue. That does mean I’m going to ask you.”
Mr Clarkson replied: “Here’s what I think… The underside lends me to think it’s moleskin.”
Explaining his thinking, Mr Clarkson went on: “I’ve got some moleskin trousers, and they’ve got a soft, textured finish. Suede, sort of doesn’t, does it?
“I wouldn’t call suede soft ever. Think of a pair of suede – I’ve got suede shoes on, you don’t call those soft, do you?”
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jeremy Clarkson was ’embarrassed’ by his mistake
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ITV
Seemingly convinced, he sheepishly told the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestant: “I’m minded to say – not with 100 percent certainty – moleskin and that is my final answer.”
Ms Eidman replied: “At this point, I’d be quite happy to risk it. I think it’s worth it, and I agree with you, thinking about suede, it’s not exactly soft.”
She locked in the answer as Mr Clarkson “nervously” awaited the reveal. Within seconds, it was confirmed that he’d been wrong.
“Oh, jeez! Well, that’s annoying and embarrassing,” he reacted. “Annoying for you and embarrassing for me because suede is the correct answer.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jeremy Clarkson apologised for his slip-up
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ITV
“I would not have called it soft and textured, would you?” he admitted before reeling off the facts.
The former Top Gear star said: “Chiffon has nothing to do with animal hide, and neither does velvet. Moleskin is a heavy cotton brushed surface, not animal.
“There we are, even though it’s called moleskin, it’s not from an animal. Well, I can only apologise for that.
“It’s not fine, is it, because you’ve just lost £7,000 and it’s all my fault, but I tried my hardest, and I let you down, I let myself down, I’ve let the show down, I’ve let the country down, I’ve let everybody down, I’ve let my children down.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jeremy Clarkson sent Jamie Eidman home with £1,000
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ITV
“I’m embarrassed, and I don’t know what to say other than you are leaving here, Jamie Eidman, with £1,000.”
As they shook hands, Mr Clarkson apologised once again as Ms Eidman left the studio.
Mr Clarkson couldn’t resist making light of the situation soon after, though, telling viewers: “I’ve never ever done that before and now I feel terrible… and it’s past.”
Following the slip-up, ITV viewers flocked to social media to urge Mr Clarkson to pay up, given it was his advice that led to the early exit.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jeremy Clarkson shooks hands with Jamie as she left the show
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ITV
One X user hit out: “She had every right to be annoyed with Jeremy Clarkson – the fella owns a farm, but couldn’t answer an animal question .. #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
A second questioned: “Suede isn’t soft Jeremy??? I’m sorry what?? #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
“Jeremy Clarkson misleading a contestant on a Millionaire question has to be one of the most awkward things that can happen on a quiz show ever. #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire,” a third commented.
Meanwhile, a fourth suggested: “#whowantstobeamillionaire Jeremy should give her 7k can afford it so he can.”
“#WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire Jeremy owes her £7k,” a fifth argued, while a sixth typed: “Who the hell doesn’t know what the hell a suede is?? Shame on Jeremy. How embarrassing. #whowantstobeamillionaire.” (sic)