'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?': Jeremy Clarkson Impresses Viewers As Hit Show Returns

Jeremy Clarkson proved to be a hit with fans when ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ returned on Saturday (5 May) night.

Replacing Chris Tarrant, who fronted the show for the entirety of its initial 30-series run, Clarkson soon got comfortable on the iconic set, making quips about Richard Hammond and Donald Trump.

Viewers took to Twitter to discuss the new host’s efforts, with many (somewhat begrudgingly...) admitting he wasn’t doing too badly:

Much as I loved Chris Tarrant on #whowantstobeamillionaire, @JeremyClarkson is smashing it. Very funny and liking the minor format tweaks. First contestant is making bard work of easy questions though.@ITV pic.twitter.com/N7hIF9LGiA
— Andy Watt (@Andy_Watt) May 5, 2018

I don’t normally like Clarkson, but he’s doing good job here. #whowantstobeamillionaire
— Ian Forster (@The_Real_Ian14) May 5, 2018

Coughing jokes ... Trump jokes ... Yorkshire accents 👌🏽 Jeremy Clarkson has already nailed it! #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire
— S Babs (@sbabs90) May 5, 2018

#whowantstobeamillionaire I think people need to get a grip, if you don't like Jeremy Clarkson don't watch the programme, there are plenty of TV channels to entertain you. Personally I think he is smashing it 😁
— Laura Welfare (@WelfareLaura) May 5, 2018

#JeremyClarkson absolutely smashed #whowantstobeamillionaire loved it.😆xx
— Georgina Lewis (@Georgin27088159) May 6, 2018

Clarkson is already way better than tarrant #whowantstobeamillionaire
— lee mccleary (@81Lmc) May 5, 2018

Jeremy Clarkson on who wants to be a millionaire was just hilarious to watch.. bloody jezzer. 🙈😂
— ȷack⚑ (@VectirR6) May 6, 2018

Yeah I enjoyed it too. Thought it suited jeremy. Wonder how long it will be before he begins to grate.
— Gary (@SpuffMonkey2015) May 6, 2018

Just finished watching the new #whowantstobeamillionaire with @JeremyClarkson and boy did he smash it, even with useless contestants! Surely @ITV should make this a regular programme with him! We want a series and we don’t even need to phone a friend, the audience has spoken !!!!
— James Leslie (@etonjamesleslie) May 6, 2018

The role is Clarkson’s first terrestrial TV job since he was sacked by ‘Top Gear’ bosses in March 2015.

‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ has been revived for one week only to celebrate its 20th anniversary and the host isn’t the only thing that’s changed as the format has also been spruced up with two alterations.

The first is the addition of a ‘Ask the host’ lifeline, which gives them the chance to ask for Clarkson’s help.

In episode one, a contestant called on the host for assistance when a cricket question was asked, and was suitably chuffed when Jeremy answered it correctly.

That moment when you say you want to 'Ask the host' 😐#Millionaire @MillionaireUK @JeremyClarkson pic.twitter.com/bdh3zmFwpe
— ITV (@ITV) May 5, 2018

It wasn’t exactly a big money episode though, with ITV giving away just £10,000, split between three contestants.

A second twist allows players to set their own safety net amounts to better secure their chances of taking home money.

There is still a fixed safety net at £1,000, but once players hit question five, they have the opportunity to choose the next stage at which their money will be safe.

Traditionally, the second safety net was automatically set at £32,000.