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Why doesn’t Chris Tarrant present Who Wants to Be a Millionaire anymore?


Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? starts tonight (Saturday, August 24) on ITV at 9:10pm. The second episode of the 33rd series will air tomorrow (Sunday, August 25) at 8pm. Jeremy Clarkson will be back for his second year of hosting the popular game show but why did the original host, Chris Tarrant, decide to leave the series after 15 years?

Why doesn’t Chris Tarrant present Who Wants to Be a Millionaire anymore?

Chris Tarrant, OBE is an English radio and television presenter.

He is best known for presenting the game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from 1998 until 2014.

In October 2013, Tarrant announced he would be stepping down after 15 years of presenting the show.

ITV also decided to end Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to coincide with Tarrant stepping down.

In a statement, Tarrant said: “It’s been a huge part of my life for 15 years and I’ve loved every minute of it, but it is time for me to move on from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

“It’s been the most remarkable journey and I consider myself very fortunate to have been associated with Millionaire from its inception.

“ITV have been fantastic in their support from day one and to see its huge success has been thrilling.”

He continued: “But of course so much more rewarding for all of us has been, not just the celebrities or even the million-pound winners, but all of the ordinary men and women whose lives have been changed – sometimes forever – by being on the show.

“Thank you all for sitting opposite me. I am privileged to have been a part of it, but do now feel that it is time for me to call it a day.”

The final live episode featuring Tarrant was a celebrity edition which aired on December 19, 2013.

Another two pre-recorded celebrity episodes aired in February 2014.

In 2018, ITV announced they would be reviving Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

However, Tarrant decided he would not reprise his role as the show’s host.

Instead, The Grand Tour and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was revealed to be the new host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Earlier this year on This Morning, Tarrant was asked by hosts Eamonn and Ruth Langsford if he would ever return to the show.

He said: “No I did it for 15 years – you did it with me about 10 times [pointing at Eamonn and co-presenter Ruth Langsford].

“I did it for 15 years, about 700 shows, I loved it… we had a fantastic time, but I don’t want to do anymore. So good luck, it’s a great show.”

Since leaving Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Tarrant has gone on to work on other projects.

The 72-year-old has hosted his own Channel 5 series Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways and also appeared on the ITV daytime game show Show Me the Telly.

Tarrant received an OBE for his charity work in 2004 and today he continues to support homeless charities, Centrepoint, Milly’s Fund and Swings and Smiles.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire air tonight at 9:10pm on ITV



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