Who Wants To Be A Millionaire returned to screens last night with some big changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The ITV quiz show, hosted by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, is back – only this time there is no studio audience, while the contestants are now separated by perspex screens.
What changes has ITV made to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
As a result, the show has had to drop its often-essential Ask The Audience lifeline, replacing it with a second Phone A Friend option.
Jeremy joked about the changes as he stepped into the studio.
We’re going to have to ramp this applause up and pretend there’s a lot of people here.
“Thank you, hello and welcome to a brand new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” he said enthusiastically. “Now, nothing much has changed since we were last here… except for the entire world.
“And for reasons related to that, we have no audience. But we do have six contestants sitting in perspex confessionals. And they’re all hoping to be a millionaire by the time we finish.”
When the first contest stepped up to play and the others clapped, Jezzer quipped: “Guys, that sounds like a village cricket match. We’re going to have to ramp this applause up and pretend there’s a lot of people here.
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“Just clap, like you’re clapping for the NHS.”
Jeremy went on to explain the changes to the lifelines.
He said: “They’re exactly the same as they were before except for the lifelines. You’ve got 50/50 and then you’ve got two Phone A Friends. They can’t be the same people.”
What did Who Wants To Be A Millionaire viewers think of the coronavirus changes?
Those watching at home were positive about the changes. Some even admitted they preferred the Covid-friendly version of the series, which ITV has teased features the programme’s sixth millionaire.
One said on Twitter: “#whowantstobeamillionaire has worked well without the audience. Love the changes!”
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Another wrote: “#whowantstobeamillionaire It’s actually better without an audience!
They added, in reference to the Coughing Major scandal: “I suppose the millionaire winner did it on his own this time – no coughing!”
A third wrote: “Actually don’t miss the audience… #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
“#whowantstobeamillionaire virtual audience will be the future,” predicted a fourth.
#whowantstobeamillionaire has worked well without the audience. Love the changes!
— Stu from Romford (@romford_stu) September 8, 2020
#whowantstobeamillionaire
Its actually better without an audience!😀
I suppose the millionaire winner did it on his own this time- no coughing!😀🤣😂— Alex Davenport🖕 (@alexdavenport4) September 7, 2020
Actually don't miss the audience…#whowantstobeamillionaire
— Dee (@Deew04) September 7, 2020
#whowantstobeamillionaire virtual audience will be the future
— South African Animal🇿🇦🥋 (@SAfricanAnimal) September 7, 2020
Someone else said they thought having no Ask The Audience lifeline will make it a lot more difficult. They tweeted: “The loss of the audience is a real killer in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Not being able to ask the audience makes it a much harder game. #WWTBAM #Millionaire.”
“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire without an audience is losing a big part of the show,” admitted another. “But difficult to have come up with a solution in the current circumstances. Mind you, last thing you want in these times is someone coughing the right answers.”
One tweeted: “Watched #whowantstobeamillionaire last night. Strange with no audience but must admit, #JeremyClarkson carries the show beautifully. If ever a show was tailor made.”
“#WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire So bizarre to watch without an audience,” said another.
The loss of the audience is a real killer in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Not being able to ask the audience makes it a much harder game. #WWTBAM #Millionaire
— Nigel Slater (@NSlater_DT) September 7, 2020
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire without an audience is losing a big part of the show but difficult to have come up with a solution in the current circumstances.
Mind you, last thing you want in these times is someone coughing the right answers 😬#whowantstobeamillionaire #wwtbam
— Shaun Farrelly (@ShaunFarrelly) September 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/Richard_GJS/status/1303245234197991424
#WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire So bizarre to watch without an audience. 😧
— Caroline McKenzie (@ca_mckenzie) September 7, 2020
What did you think of the Covid-friendly Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.