The first contestant since 2006 to win Who Wants to be a Millionaire’s top prize received their life-changing amount of money on Friday.
It’s the first time someone has won £1million on the show since its comeback with Jeremy Clarkson as host.
The triumphant contestant, Donald Fear, is the sixth person to successfully answer all 15 questions required to scoop the huge winnings.
The Telford resident's success may well inspire others to apply and take on the challenge.
If you’re one of those people who want to give it a go, here’s what you need to do.
How Who Wants to be a Millionaire works
The contestants who make it through to the TV studio must answer a ‘fastest finger first’ round to make it into the hot seat, in which they must put the four answers to a question in the correct order.
The person who does it in the quickest time makes it through.
Once in the chair, contestants are given four lifelines to help them on their way - the traditional ask the audience, phone a friend and 50:50 lifelines have now been supplemented with an ask the host option, where Clarkson can use his own knowledge to help out.
Also contestants can choose their own safety net after passing the £1,000 question. The original format had fixed safety nets at £1,000 and £32,000.
How to be on Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Applications for the current series have closed, as the episodes are recorded in advance.
However if you think you can make it all the way to the £1million question, then you have until 11.59pm on November 2 2020 to apply for the next series.
ITV says the deadline could be extended "without notice at the Producer's discretion" and applicants must be aged 18 or over.
Application form
To do so, you must register, which includes providing your name, date of birth, email address and password.
Once registered you must proceed to the application form, providing details such as:
- Address
- Occupation and previous jobs
- Quizzing history
- Hobbies
- Subjects you may use your “ask the host” lifeline (apart from motoring)
- What you would spend the £1million on
- Anything you’ve won in the past
- How you’d describe yourself
- If you’ve been on TV or applied for the show before
- Social media handles
You must also upload a photo of yourself and a 30-second video introducing yourself and explaining why you should be chosen to appear on the show.
After the form you must provide details of your ethnic background for diversity monitoring purposes, as well as any criminal convictions, anything else that could attract negative publicity or medical conditions.
Timed multiple-choice quiz
The last stage is a 20-question quiz which gets harder at each stage.
A statement on the application says: “These are all the TYPE of questions which could appear on the show, however none of these will appear on the show. Please read the questions and answers carefully, and make sure you have answered them all.
“Googling the answers or asking a friend to help will be considered cheating and will also slow you down. Your time will be taken into account.”
The timer starts when you click ‘next’ and once submitted, you can’t go back to the form or change your answers.
Good luck!
