Tipping Point viewers were left frustrated during Tuesday’s episode after two contestants struggled to identify one of Britain’s best-known military decorations.
The awkward moment came when host Ben Shephard asked Nicky and Karen a question about the highest decoration for valour in the British Army, awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy.
Neither contestant was able to identify the answer, leaving some viewers watching at home particularly unimpressed.
(Image: ITV)
Contestants struggle with Victoria Cross question
Shephard asked Nicky: “What is the highest decoration for valour in the British army awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy?”
He then gave her the option of answering or passing the question to Karen.
Nicky admitted she had no idea and decided to pass.
“I really haven’t an idea of an answer so I am going to pass,” she said.
Karen also struggled with the question. Although she tried to think of the name of any military medal, she admitted she could not immediately come up with one.
She eventually offered: “The valour medal?”
Shephard appeared surprised by the suggestion and encouraged the contestants to keep trying.
“The valour medal? Some sort of medal, you’ve got to give me something,” he said, before asking Nicky whether she could name any medals.
Nicky was honest about her lack of knowledge.
“Honestly no, not my strong point,” she replied.
Shephard then revealed the answer.
“You’re going to kick yourself when you hear it, it’s the Victoria Cross,” he said.
Neither Nicky nor Karen appeared to recognize the answer, making the exchange even more memorable.
Ben desperately tried to get a name of any medal from the contestants(Image: ITV)
Viewers react angrily
The contestants’ struggle prompted a strong reaction on social media, with some Tipping Point viewers expressing disbelief that neither woman knew the Victoria Cross.
Nicky admitted she wasn’t knowledgeable in army medals(Image: ITV)
One viewer wrote: “Oh my lord, I thought at least Karen would have known that bloody question. The Valour medal.”
Another reacted much more harshly, writing: “What the fk is the ‘Valour Medal’? You absolute wazzocks…. #tippingpoint.”**
A third viewer mocked Karen’s incorrect suggestion, posting: “As thick as a whale omelette. #tippingpoint The valour medal.”
Another went further, referencing the soldiers who had received the Victoria Cross and writing: “All those men who died and were awarded the Victoria Cross are now thinking, what was the fking point #tippingpoint.”**
Someone else simply posted: “Victoria Cross you dingbats!! #TippingPoint.”
Karen made a valiant guess but was incorrect(Image: ITV)
The reaction showed just how strongly the question had divided viewers, with some particularly critical of the contestants’ lack of knowledge about British military history.
While Nicky openly admitted that army medals were not her strong point, Karen at least attempted to provide an answer before Shephard revealed the correct one.
The Victoria Cross remains the answer that viewers were hoping the contestants would remember — and the brief exchange quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the episode.
Tipping Point airs weekdays on ITV at 4pm.