Jeremy Clarkson's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Faces Scrutiny as £1 Million Prize Lags Behind Inflation

Key facts

• Roman Dubowski, a retired IT analyst, won the £1 million jackpot on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the current series.
• Only seven UK contestants have ever won the £1 million prize since the show began in 1998.
• £1 million in 1998 had the same purchasing power as approximately £2.5 million today.
• Jeremy Clarkson has hosted the ITV show since 2018, replacing original host Chris Tarrant.
• Clarkson is also known for his work with Richard Hammond and James May on Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
• a 'glaring issue' with the show's prize money not keeping pace with inflation.

A Landmark Win, a Lingering Question

Roman Dubowski, a retired IT analyst, has become only the seventh contestant in the history of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to claim the top prize, winning the £1 million jackpot during the current series hosted by Jeremy Clarkson. The achievement, however, has reignited a debate about the show's prize structure. Critics argue that the once-astounding sum has been eroded by inflation, diminishing its real-world impact.

The Prize That Shrinks Over Time

When Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? first aired on ITV in 1998, the £1 million jackpot was a staggering amount that captured the public imagination. Adjusted for inflation, however, that sum would need to be approximately £2.5 million today to match its original purchasing power, according to the latest UK inflation data. The show's title itself, which references the prize, has remained unchanged, but the value behind it has not.

A Host in the Spotlight

Jeremy Clarkson, who took over as host in 2018 after Chris Tarrant's departure, is no stranger to high-profile television roles. He spent over two decades as part of the iconic trio with Richard Hammond and James May on BBC's Top Gear and later Prime Video's The Grand Tour. While Clarkson's presence has maintained the show's popularity, the prize money issue has become a focal point for critics.

The Express's 'Glaring Issue'

In the wake of Dubowski's win, The Express's deputy showbiz editor Rebecca Jones highlighted what she called a 'glaring issue' that ITV 'can't hide.' Jones noted that while £1 million remains a life-changing amount, it has not kept up with UK inflation. She questioned why ITV has not increased the top prize to at least £2 million, suggesting the show's title would still be accurate with a higher figure.

A Rare Achievement in Context

Dubowski's win places him in an exclusive club of only seven UK contestants who have ever won the £1 million prize since the show's inception 28 years ago. The rarity of the jackpot underscores the difficulty of the format, but also amplifies the disparity between the prize's nominal value and its real-world worth. As inflation continues to rise, the gap between perception and reality widens.

What Comes Next for the Show?

ITV has not publicly responded to the criticism, leaving open the question of whether the prize will be adjusted in future series. The network may face pressure to modernize the format, especially as contestants and viewers become more aware of the inflation effect. For now, the show continues under Clarkson's stewardship, but the debate over its central prize is unlikely to fade.

A Prize That No Longer Matches Its Promise

The controversy surrounding Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? highlights a broader issue in television: how to keep classic formats relevant in a changing economic landscape. The show's title promises a fortune that, in real terms, has halved since its debut. Whether ITV will address this 'glaring issue' remains to be seen, but the conversation has already shifted from the excitement of a win to the arithmetic of value.

The bottom line

• Roman Dubowski became the seventh UK contestant to win the £1 million jackpot on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
• The £1 million prize in 1998 is worth about £2.5 million today due to inflation.
• Jeremy Clarkson has hosted the show since 2018, replacing Chris Tarrant.
• a 'glaring issue' with the prize not keeping pace with inflation.
• ITV has not yet responded to calls to increase the top prize.
• Only seven contestants have won the £1 million prize in the show's 28-year history.