Viewers of Lee Mack's ITV quiz show The 1% Club have been left baffled by a final question that none of the contestants could answer, even after the answer was revealed. The comedian turned presenter gave the show's sole finalist, Elliot, 30 seconds to come up with the first number which, when spelled out, has all its letters in alphabetical order.
Elliot was distraught as he realised his answer of 'four' was incorrect. The correct answer was revealed to be 40, spelled 'forty'. This left many viewers questioning the spelling, with one commenting: 'Since when is forty spelled without a u? You know... as in four?'
However, the spelling of 40 without a 'u' dates back to at least the 16th century, and is not a case of Americanisation as some might think. Before then, 'fourty' had appeared as one of many spellings in Middle English from the 12th century. Adding to the confusion is the spelling of 14 ('fourteen'), which does retain the 'u'.
Some viewers suggested 'eight' as a solution, but since 'g' comes before 'i' in the alphabet, it is not valid. One person commented: 'Please tell me how people are getting eight. I'm genuinely concerned.' The show tests common sense, logic and intelligence, with rounds determined by how many of the 100 contestants answered correctly.
