ITV's rebooted Wheel of Fortune has sparked a major viewer backlash after a contestant lost out on a life-changing £20,000 jackpot because of a final puzzle branded "ridiculous" by fans.
Contestant's Devastating Final Round
The incident occurred on the episode broadcast on Saturday, 3 January 2026, hosted by Graham Norton. Contestant Richard, a funeral celebrant, had fought his way past fellow players Yemi and Aimee to reach the final bonus round. He had already won a £2,000 Aldi shopping spree and was facing the coveted top prize.
However, the concluding puzzle, which concealed the name of a food or drink, proved impossible to crack. Richard selected multiple vowels and consonants, but none appeared in the hidden phrase. When host Graham Norton finally revealed the solution as "prawn gyoza," Richard was visibly devastated, with Norton offering his sympathies.
Viewers Slam 'Obscure' Culinary Clue
The reaction from the audience at home was one of fury and disbelief, rather than sympathy. Many took to social media platform X to vent their frustration, arguing the puzzle was unfairly difficult.
One viewer posted: "How ridiculous was that? I never heard of prawn whatsit or whatever it was called!" Another fumed: "Prawn gyozo (sic)? No wonder he didnt get it! He could have had all but one letter & probably still not get it!"
The sentiment was widely shared, with comments ranging from sarcasm to outright anger. "Prawn gyoza? They're having a laugh! Poor Richard deserved that win and was totally done over," wrote a fourth viewer. Some even suggested it was a tactic by the show, with one asking: "Is that ITV's way of saving money by making the final puzzle so tricky to get even someone at Mensa would struggle on?"
What Exactly is a Prawn Gyoza?
For the uninitiated, gyoza are Japanese dumplings, typically filled with minced meat and vegetables, and served steamed or pan-fried. The puzzle's obscurity was highlighted by Richard's initial guess of "brown something," showing he was not thinking along the lines of Asian cuisine. He had only the letters 'R' and 'N' in the first word to guide him.
A Silver Lining for Richard
Despite the crushing disappointment of missing the £20,000 windfall, Richard did not leave empty-handed. His successful performance throughout the show earned him a very respectable total of £8,400 in cash, plus the substantial supermarket voucher, which he was clearly happy to have secured.
Wheel of Fortune continues to air on ITV on Saturdays at 8pm, with episodes available for streaming on ITVX.
