ITV viewers were left divided after The 1% Club ended with Zoe walking away with a staggering £97,000 prize — despite all three finalists having failed to answer the previous 5% question correctly.
The unexpected ending prompted some fans to question whether Zoe and the other contestants should have been allowed to attempt the final challenge at all.
What happened on The 1% Club?
During the latest episode, contestants Zoe, Jess and Ryan found themselves as the final three players.
However, none of them had correctly answered the 5% question.
Lee Mack asked: “What four-letter word can you put after the image on the left and before the image on the right to replace the question mark and make two new words?”
The correct answer was “back”, but none of the three contestants managed to get it right.
That appeared to suggest the game was over — but the rules allowed the trio to continue.
Lee explained that although they had missed the 5% question, they had still progressed further than everyone else in the game.
“So the bad news is all three of you got it wrong, but the good news is you did better than everyone else here tonight which means that you are our winners,” he told them.
Zoe takes a huge gamble
Lee then revealed that the three contestants had won a combined £10,000, meaning each could take home £3,333.
But there was another option.
They could leave with the money or risk their winnings by attempting the notoriously difficult 1% question.
Jess chose to take her £3,333 and leave the show.
Zoe and Ryan, however, decided to take their chances.
The final question asked: “What word is represented by the times on the clocks below?”
Ryan was unable to provide an answer and was eliminated.
Zoe, meanwhile, wrote down “label” — and it turned out to be correct.
Lee then delivered the news that transformed her night, revealing that she had won the full £97,000 prize.
Viewers question the show’s rules
While many viewers celebrated Zoe’s success, others were left confused by the way the final stage had played out.
Several fans questioned how the contestants could progress to the 1% question after failing to answer the 5% question.
One viewer wrote: “How can they go through to the final? Should have no winners.”
Another argued: “The last three didn’t get the 5% question right so shouldn’t have an opportunity to go for the 1% question!”
A third viewer also expressed their disbelief, saying: “Something feels very wrong about getting the 5% question wrong but then getting the 1% question correct and winning £97,000.”
The reaction highlighted a point of confusion among some viewers over how the show’s final-round rules work.
Others celebrate Zoe’s £97,000 win
Despite the criticism, not everyone was unhappy with the outcome.
Some viewers were delighted to see Zoe solve the final puzzle and secure the enormous cash prize.
One fan wrote: “Well deserved and an absolutely beautiful girl.”
Another simply added: “Well done Zoe!”
So, while the unusual route to the final sparked plenty of debate, Zoe ultimately left the studio £97,000 richer after correctly solving the 1% question.
The 1% Club missing from ITV next Saturday
Fans will have to wait a little longer for the next episode of The 1% Club.
The Lee Mack-fronted programme will not air next Saturday, March 14, alongside Britain’s Got Talent and The Jonathan Ross Show.
ITV is instead showing the Six Nations clash between England and France in its Saturday night schedule.