The 1% Club has been pulled off air this weekend after a contestant died shortly after filming the ITV show.
Steven Wong didn't get the chance to see his appearance when the popular game show, fronted by comedian Lee Mack, returned to screens last Saturday night with another set of 100 contestants hoping to win the £100,000 cash prize by answering a question only 1% of the population should know.
And viewers were left devastated to learn that 52-year-old Steven – who revealed he almost landed a part in Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when he was 10 – had passed away since filming, as producers dedicated the episode to him.
Though he managed to get to the 50% question in the quiz show, which is now the most popular on TV, Steven didn’t make it all the way to the end. Fellow contestants Daniel and Mitul were the only ones left to answer the 1% question and managed to walk away with a staggering £99,0000 in prize money.
Paying their respects, TV bosses posted an emotional tribute at the end of Saturday’s show with a sombre message written in white lettering on a black background, which simply read: "In memory of Steven Wong. 1972-2024."
Though The 1% Club has just been commissioned for two more series, eagle-eyed viewers noticed it was absent from the TV schedule this weekend – despite a message on their Twitter account saying: “Thanks for watching folks! Don’t forget to tune in next week for brain teasers! #The1PercentClub.”
Fans were quick to point out the error, as it has been replaced by James Bond film Casino Royale, which will air from 8pm. It is thought that channel execs also wanted to avoid going up against the Eurovision Song Contest, as the final is on BBC1 from 8pm on Saturday night.
One viewer asked: “Is the show even on next week?” Another stated: “Two weeks’ time unless we’ve moved nights next week!” A third said: “You’re not on next week because Casino Royale is on next Saturday.” A fourth echoed: “Hey, wait a minute. You’re not on next week. Replaced by Casino Royale.” While a fifth added: “Love the show! Any chance of a celebrity version?”
During his appearance on the show last week, Steven regaled viewers with his story of how he got down to the final two for a part in the 1981 Indiana Jones movie starring Harrison Ford. He said: "I didn't realise this but apparently we got down to the final two and it was me and another kid. Don't forget this was only when I was about 10!" leaving many viewers, and host Lee, amazed.
The role eventually went to Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan and Steven told Lee he had found his path elsewhere as he worked for a utility company during his stint in the game show."Wow! And you got down to the final two!" Lee responded after hearing of Steve's short encounter with film fame, before quipping: "You say you don't like to talk about it, you brought it up on national television."
*The 1% Club is next on ITV at 8.55pm on Saturday May 18 or catch up on previous episodes on ITVX now
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