ITV’s The 1% Club Finale Angers Viewers over ‘Trick’ Question
Fans of ITV’s quiz show, The 1% Club, expressed their frustration during the final episode on January 31, 2026. Viewers reacted strongly to what many termed a “trick” question, which sparked significant debate on social media. The show, hosted by comedian Lee Mack, features 100 contestants who face progressively challenging questions to identify the top 1% of participants.
Details of the Controversial Question
Amena was the sole finalist on this particular episode, with the chance to win £93,000. However, she risked her potential winnings for the ultimate jackpot of £100,000. The final challenge presented to her involved an image of three identical cookery books arranged next to each other on a shelf. Contestants were asked:
“In the image below, three volumes of a cookery book series are lined up in order. 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?”
Viewer Reactions
Amena answered 14.9cm, which was incorrect; the correct answer was 7cm. Host Lee Mack later clarified the reasoning behind the solution. He explained that when books are stored upright, the first page of a book appears on the right side, while the last page is on the left. Thus, only the pages of one book and four covers need to be measured.
- Amena’s Answer: 14.9cm
- Correct Answer: 7cm
- Potential Prize: £93,000 (risked for £100,000)
Many viewers took to social media to voice their discontent. One user remarked, “That was a bloody dodgy last question #The1PercentClub.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments like “That 1% Q makes no sense whatsoever” and “this is a classic trick question!”
Viewer Disputes Over the Solution
Amidst the uproar, several viewers challenged the validity of the answer. One individual suggested that the distance should be 5.2cm, while another questioned why the answer wasn’t 17. This discourse further fueled the debate around the fairness of the question.
The challenge presented in The 1% Club continues to be a subject of conversation among fans. It illustrates how crucial clarity is in quiz formats that test contestants’ capabilities while maintaining viewer engagement.
The 1% Club airs weekly on ITV and ITVX, attracting a devoted audience eager for more challenging puzzles and engaging programming.
