ITV's The 1% Club pulled off air this weekend after contestant's tragic death
The 1% Club was taken off air this weekend following the sad news that contestant Steven Wong passed away shortly after filming the ITV game show. The programme, which is hosted by comedian Lee Mack, had to pause its broadcast after the tragic event.
Steven, who nearly snagged a role in the iconic Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a child, didn't get to see his episode when the hit show aired last Saturday. The show sees 100 hopefuls compete for a whopping £100,000 prize by answering questions that only 1% of people can get right.
Fans were heartbroken upon hearing that 52 year old Steven, who made it halfway through the challenging quiz, had died since the recording. The episode was dedicated to him in a touching tribute.
While Steven didn't reach the final question, contestants Daniel and Mitul did, and they impressively scooped up an eye-watering £99,000 between them.
In a poignant moment at the close of Saturday's episode, the show honoured Steven with a heartfelt message against a black backdrop, stating: "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 of The 1% Club were left scratching their heads and quickly spotted the mix-up when they realised the scheduled slot had been snapped up by the James Bond film Casino Royale airing at 8pm, reports the Mirror.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.
Fans of The 1% Club were puzzled, with one saying: "Is the show even on next week? " while another surmised, "Two weeks' time unless we've moved nights next week! " Further echoing the confusion, one chimed in, "You're not on next week because Casino Royale is on next Saturday."
Another agreed, stating: "Hey, wait a minute. You're not on next week. Replaced by Casino Royale."
But one optimistic viewer suggested: "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 ultimately went to Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan, and Steven shared with Lee that he had found his path elsewhere, working for a utility company during his time on the game show. "Wow! And you got down to the final two! " exclaimed Lee after learning about Steven's brush with cinematic stardom, playfully adding, "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
