Jeremy Clarkson returned to ITV screens on Tuesday night, but not with the classic quiz format viewers know. Instead, he launched Millionaire Hot Seat, a new, faster-paced spin-off of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? that has already sparked a heated debate among its audience.
A Faster, Fiercer Format
The show, which aired on January 6, 2026, condenses the action into a brisk 30-minute episode. Gone are the famous lifelines and contemplative pauses. Instead, five contestants wait in a rotating queue, with the 'hot seat' changing hands rapidly. A player moves on only when the person in front of them uses their single pass or gets a question wrong.
Clarkson himself pitched it as 'pure concentrated Who Wants To Be A Millionaire juice – no lifelines, no hesitating'. The ultimate prize remains a life-changing £1 million, but the path to it is significantly more frantic.
Mixed Reactions from Viewers
Social media response was sharply divided moments after the premiere. Some viewers were unimpressed, criticising the new structure. One X user, @ManaboutLdn, labelled it an 'awful rehash of the show'. Others echoed the sentiment, with Oceania Sceptic calling it 'too bitty' and 'hard on the contestants'.
KardSharp75 argued it had become a 'guessing game without any strategy and decision making'. However, the format also found its champions. East Leeds Lass praised 'the pace of it', and Jack S declared it a 'great format'.
First Winner Takes Home £20,000
The debut episode culminated in a £20,000 win for Simon Williams, a firefighter from Notting Hill. He secured the cash with what he admitted was a 'total guess' on a question about Ridley Scott films. Faced with four character names, he correctly identified that Paul Atreides has not appeared in a Scott-directed movie.
Williams plans to spend his winnings on a family trip to New York for his daughter, a Manchester United season ticket for his son, and a holiday in the Maldives with his girlfriend.
It's worth noting that Millionaire Hot Seat is not a brand-new concept. The format originated in Australia nearly two decades ago and is currently in its 15th season. Its success there contrasts with the initial mixed UK reception.
The main Who Wants To Be A Millionaire show aired a festive special at the end of 2025, featuring celebrities like rugby's Joe Marler and comedian Katherine Ryan, who won £64,000 each for charity.
Millionaire Hot Seat continues on ITV1 at 7.30pm.
