Jeremy Clarkson has issued a blunt response to viewers of his new television show, Millionaire Hot Seat, who have complained about contestants talking too much during the fast-paced quiz.
Viewers Vent Frustration Over 'Annoying' Habit
The spin-off to the iconic Who Wants To Be A Millionaire launched on ITV earlier this week, following filming that began in November last year. Promoted by Clarkson on X as a faster version of the classic game show, the new format has quickly drawn criticism for one particular reason.
Taking to social media, several viewers expressed their irritation at contestants using up their valuable time limit with unnecessary chatter. One person wrote: 'Wouldn’t you have thought that the time constraint would have cut out all this waffling.' Another agreed, stating: 'All the waffling is getting a bit annoying I thought it was supposed to be fast paced.'
The complaints continued to pile up, with further comments including: 'Why do they all blather so much! Shut up and answer the question already!' and 'Can someone please explain to the Contestants that they need to stop nattering and answer the questions as quickly as possible, so frustrating!'
Clarkson's Succinct Retort on Social Media
Faced with this wave of viewer feedback, the show's host did not hold back. Jeremy Clarkson offered a characteristically curt reply on X, simply stating: 'I do. Before the show every time.' This defiant response suggests that despite thorough pre-show briefings, some contestants still get caught up in the moment.
How Millionaire Hot Seat's Ruthless Format Works
The new ITV programme features six contestants competing for a chance to win up to £1 million. They queue for the 'Hot Seat', where they face Clarkson one at a time to answer questions on the Million Pound Money Ladder.
The format introduces several high-pressure twists:
- Only correct answers allow players to climb the ladder; a wrong answer eliminates them and reduces the top prize.
- If a contestant passes, they go to the back of the line but are not guaranteed another turn.
- The passed question goes to the next player, who must answer it correctly to stay in the game.
- In a particularly savage rule, only the top prize remaining on the ladder can be won, and the player tackling the final question must get it right to take it home.
ITV's Confidence in the Millionaire Brand
ITV announced the commission of Millionaire Hot Seat in July 2025, confirming Clarkson would return as host. Katie Rawcliffe, an ITV executive, highlighted that the main show had reached 18 million viewers in 2025 alone, making the spin-off a logical step. Matthew Worthy of Stellify Media, the production company, described the new show as the 'cheeky younger sibling' of the original, offering more of Clarkson and the money-ladder drama at a quicker pace.
Millionaire Hot Seat is available to watch on ITV1 and the ITVX streaming service.
