A retired GP from Glasgow narrowly missed the top prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire on Tuesday.
Andrew Townsley, who worked at Newhills Medical Practice in Easterhouse, won £500,000 on the ITV show after leaving Jeremy Clarkson's winning question about the history of motor sport unanswered.
The Glasgow Uni graduate whizzed through 14 questions with correct answers.
👏🙌👏🙌👏 Congratulations Andrew! £500,000! 👏🙌👏🙌👏 #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire pic.twitter.com/ZhgdPD69PI
— Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (@MillionaireUK) May 12, 2020
The crucial final question asked: “Which of these iconic races was held first?”
The options were A. Le Mans 24 Hours B. Monaco Grand Prix C. Indy 500 or D. Isle Of Man TT.
Mr Townsley, who said he will use the money for a trip to Niagara Falls, used his final lifeline, phone a friend, but his chosen helper did not know the answer either.
Explaining his decision to walk away, he said: “I don’t know the answer and it’s just too much money to lose.
“Having got so far and to go on a whim I think would be foolish and Niagara Falls is looking very nice at this time.”
Agonisingly, Mr Townsley said he would have said Isle Of Man TT, which was the correct answer.
Host Clarkson congratulated him on being a “truly fabulous contender”.
The £500,000 question asked who Beethoven’s 1804 Eroica Symphony was originally dedicated to.
Mr Townsley, who appeared on the show in a wheelchair and has progressive MS, asked the audience before correctly answering Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ahead of the broadcast of his game, Andrew, who has progressive MS and requires the use of a wheelchair, said: "It felt great to be there, if a bit surreal to be honest.
"As I was progressing in the hot seat, all I could think about was this is all going very quickly!
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"When you apply to be on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? you always dream that you'd have the opportunity to answer that million pound question...
"I knew winning a large sum of money would make my life a lot more comfortable."
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