The 1% Club Episode Sparks Viewer Backlash
Viewers of ITV’s The 1% Club voiced strong dissatisfaction following the latest episode, where a challenging final question left the top prize unclaimed. Hosted by comedian Lee Mack, the quiz show challenges 100 contestants with progressively difficult puzzles, testing their logic to reach the elite 1% level and potentially win up to £100,000.
The episode, which aired on January 31, featured Amena as the sole finalist with £10,000 secured. Opting to risk it all for the jackpot, she faced the ultimate 1% puzzle but answered incorrectly, forfeiting the winnings.
The Controversial Final Puzzle
The question presented an image of three identical cookery books aligned on a shelf. It stated: ‘Three volumes of a cookery book series are lined up in order, next to each other on a shelf. The total thickness of the pages of each volume is 5cm, and each cover is 5mm thick. What is the distance in centimetres between the first page of volume one and the last page of volume three?’
Amena’s response of 14.9cm proved wrong; the correct answer is 7cm. Lee Mack explained: ‘When stored upright, the first page of a book is on the right, and the last page is on the left, so you only need to measure the pages of one book and four covers.’
Viewer Reactions on Social Media
The puzzle ignited widespread debate online, with many labeling it confusing and unfair. One viewer commented: ‘That was a bloody dodgy last question #The1PercentClub.’
Another expressed: ‘That 1% Q makes no sense whatsoever #The1PercentClub,’ while a third noted: ‘#The1PercentClub this is a classic trick question!’
Additional feedback included: ‘That was a proper stinker,’ and ‘Gonna need the workings for this one!’ Some challenged the solution, with one suggesting: ‘The answer is 5.2 cm (1 book at 5cm) (4 covers at 5mm / 0.05cm equalling 0.2cm),’ and another questioning: ‘Hold on why isn’t it 17? Someone explain.’
The 1% Club broadcasts Saturdays on ITV and ITVX, continuing to draw audiences with its brain-teasing format.
