Lee Mack Left Stunned As The 1% Club Question Breaks A Show Record, With 39 Contestants Choosing To Pass

A seemingly simple word puzzle left contestants struggling on The 1% Club, with presenter Lee Mack admitting he was genuinely shocked after the episode set a new record.

The ITV game show challenges 100 contestants with questions designed to test their reasoning and logical thinking. As the rounds progress, players are gradually eliminated until a winner remains, with the ultimate prize reaching £100,000.

The final question is designed to be so challenging that only 1% of the public are expected to answer correctly. However, it was a question much earlier in the game that caused an extraordinary reaction during this particular episode.

A Record Number Of Contestants Decided To Pass

The question appeared during the 50% round, when contestants were asked to identify the odd one out in a conundrum.

The puzzle read: “Which of these is the odd one out in this CONUNDRUM?”

Players were given four possible answers:

• A. cord
• B. norm
• C. noun
• D. moon

Despite being only halfway through the competition, the question proved surprisingly difficult for many participants.

Just four contestants answered incorrectly and were eliminated. However, an astonishing 39 players decided to use their pass instead, setting an all-time record for the number of contestants choosing that option on the show.

Each contestant is allowed to use a pass only once during the game, making the decision particularly important as the questions become more difficult.

Lee Mack Couldn’t Believe The Results

The unusually high number of passes left presenter Lee Mack visibly taken aback.

Addressing the contestants after the results were revealed, he explained that the episode had made The 1% Club history.

“Now here’s the interesting thing, you lot have just broken a record on The 1% Club because four people went out, but it’s not four people who didn’t know it.”

He then pointed out just how unusual the result had been.

“39 people used a pass,” he said, as groans could be heard from the audience.

Lee continued: “I think that’s the only time ever in the history of this show more people used a pass than actually knew the answer.”

He added: “I’m genuinely in shock.”

The result highlighted just how differently contestants can approach a puzzle under the pressure of a competition, particularly when they must decide whether to commit to an answer or save themselves from potential elimination by using their one available pass.

Viewers Had Their Own Opinions About The Puzzle

The surprising result also prompted reactions from viewers watching at home.

One person took to X, formerly Twitter, to express disbelief at the number of contestants who had passed on the question.

“39 used their pass on this one???? #The1PercentClub Christ!! #moon.”

Others felt the puzzle was considerably easier than the contestants’ reactions suggested.

One viewer wrote: “50% is easy peasy.”

Another agreed with that assessment, commenting: “Too easy so far. Still in.”

The contrasting reactions demonstrated how a question that seems straightforward to some people can leave others second-guessing themselves, especially when the stakes are high.

Can You Work Out The Correct Answer?

If you have been trying to solve the puzzle yourself, the key is to pay close attention to the word used in the question: CONUNDRUM.

The correct answer was D. moon.

The reason is that moon is the only option that cannot be formed using the letters contained in the word conundrum. The other three words, cord, norm and noun, can all be constructed from its letters.

That simple distinction was enough to make the puzzle a record-breaking moment for the show, with 39 contestants opting to pass rather than risk getting it wrong.

Anyone who wants to put their reasoning skills to the test with more puzzles can try additional questions from The 1% Club.