Ben Shephard was left stunned when a Tipping Point contestant narrowly missed what could have been a historic jackpot win.
During Thursday’s episode, the ITV presenter looked on in disbelief as Gareth chose to walk away with £2,700 rather than risk everything on three final counters.
The decision came after Gareth had spent several turns trying to move both the Jackpot and Double counters, which had remained stubbornly close together inside the machine.
Ben admitted he had rarely seen the machine behave that way before.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it quite like this,” he said.
He then warned Gareth: “You could be about to create Tipping Point history here.”
Tipping Point: Ben was stunned by the outcome (Image: ITV)
Gareth chooses to play it safe
Despite numerous attempts from the nearest drop zone, Gareth could not get the counters to fall.
“This twisted machine!” Ben exclaimed before explaining that Gareth still had one final decision to make.
With the questions and original counters exhausted, Ben offered him the chance to trade his £2,700 for three final counters.
“As things stand you have £2,700 or you can trade it for three final counters to put into the machine in the hope of getting that Jackpot counter out,” Ben explained.
“You could leave with £10,000, genuinely could leave with £20,000, or you’d leave with nothing at all.”
Gareth, however, was unconvinced.
“Thing is, it keeps going right, and if I have three more like that it’s not going to happen,” he said.
He ultimately decided to take the money.
“And I think £2,700 is a good amount of money, I’m going to take the money,” Gareth said.
Ben accepted the decision, noting just how unusual the situation had been.
“Not many people have engineered a Tipping Point like that, with the Jackpot counter very, very close to the Double hanging over,” he said.
But then came the moment that left both Ben and Gareth stunned.
The counters finally fall
Ben decided to find out what would have happened had Gareth taken the gamble.
“So let’s just see if the trade would have played out, whether it would have been 10, maybe 20, or nothing at all – let’s find out,” he said.
The result was almost painfully cruel.
On the second drop, the coins pushed both the Jackpot and Double counters down.
Ben immediately gasped and covered his face with his hands.
“Oh my goodness me, Gareth,” he exclaimed.
The presenter then put a hand on Gareth’s shoulder before adding: “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Gareth looked gutted by the outcome but managed to take the disappointment in good humour.
“It’s alright,” he replied.
Ben then asked the contestant a question he admitted was “really stupid”.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Deflated,” Gareth admitted.
“But, I won so it’s good,” he added, reminding himself that he was still leaving with £2,700.
Gareth walks away with £2,700
Ben acknowledged the positive side of the result, telling Gareth: “And you’re taking £2,700 as well.”
He then thanked Gareth for taking part and wished him and his family well.
“Best of luck to you and your lovely family, enjoy your £2,700,” Ben said.
“Thanks a lot,” Gareth replied.
The episode was part of a week of Tipping Point instalments looking back at some of the show’s most dramatic moments, including major wins and agonising decisions.
Tipping Point airs on weekdays at 4.30pm on ITV.