‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ Contestant Suffers Show’s Biggest-Ever Loss

Ronan Bennett Loses £375,000 After Risking It All on Final Question

London, May 26, 2025 — In a jaw-dropping episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, contestant Ronan Bennett made headlines for the biggest single loss in the show’s UK history, walking away with £125,000 after gambling — and losing — £375,000 on the final question.

The Million-Pound Moment

Having secured £500,000, Bennett faced the ultimate £1 million question:

“Which of these words, each coined by a famous writer, was derived from the tale of a fairytale about three princes?”

The options were:

• A) Pandemonium

• B) Serendipity

• C) Utopia

• D) Yahoo

Uncertain, Bennett first used his Ask Jeremy lifeline, but host Jeremy Clarkson confessed he had no clue. Turning to his Phone a Friend lifeline, Bennett called his flatmate Meg, who also couldn’t provide a confident answer.

A High-Stakes Gamble

Despite the lack of clarity, Bennett made the daring decision to go for the £1 million prize. Clarkson reminded him of the enormous risk:

“You’re about to wager £375,000 on this answer… but you’ll still go away with a lot.”

Bennett locked in D) Yahoo as his final answer.

The Costly Error

The correct answer was B) Serendipity, a word coined by Horace Walpole, inspired by the Persian tale The Three Princes of Serendip. Bennett’s guess proved incorrect, dropping his total winnings to £125,000 — a significant sum, but a stunning £375,000 loss.

A Place in Millionaire History

Bennett’s loss marks the largest amount ever lost by a contestant in a single moment on the UK edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. While the gamble didn’t pay off, his boldness will be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in the show’s history.