A recent episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV saw contestant Jessye Olver lose out on £8,000 after failing a science question. The question asked: 'What is the second-most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere: A) Argon B) Oxygen C) Carbon dioxide or D) Nitrogen?'
Contestant's Struggle
Jessye admitted to host Jeremy Clarkson that she knew nitrogen was the most abundant but was unsure of the second. She initially considered carbon dioxide but later phoned her friend Robert, who was also uncertain. Ultimately, she chose carbon dioxide, which was incorrect.
Correct Answer
The correct answer is oxygen. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, oxygen 20.9%, argon 0.93%, and carbon dioxide only 0.042%.
Jeremy Clarkson remarked: 'I fear you have been listening too keenly to Greta Thunberg. The correct answer, mercifully, is oxygen or we’d all be in a bit of bother.'
Reactions
Viewers on X commented on the blunder, with one saying: 'Not an expert but doesn’t it have to be oxygen?' Another added: 'CO2 has oxygen in it – so how can it be?' Despite the loss, Jessye remained pragmatic, stating: 'I took a risk and I don’t regret it.'
Previous Contestant
This incident follows contestant Andrew Fanko, who narrowly missed becoming the show's latest millionaire. He reached the £500,000 mark with a question about EGOT winners. The options were Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cher, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Bette Midler. The audience chose Bette Midler, but Andrew took the money instead. The correct answer was Andrew Lloyd Webber. Andrew said he felt 'incredibly privileged' to win £500,000, which would 'make a huge difference' to his family.
