Stephen Fry Nerves on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Sir Stephen Fry Battles Nerves on ITV Quiz
Sir Stephen Fry admits he was “preposterously nervous” ahead of his appearance on the celebrity special of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, hitting screens later this month. The multi-talented actor and author, famed for hosting QI, felt the weight of his “know-all” reputation mounting during filming.
“They upped the music to get your heartbeat to go up a little bit faster,” Fry revealed. “For good or ill, people think of me as some sort of ‘know-all,’ so there was pressure on me not to make mistakes.”
Despite a fair mix of questions, Fry admits some subjects tripped him up, especially sports and pop music.
“There was a very early question about Pharrell Williams, and I knew nothing about it,” he confessed. “There are different strengths we have and different weaknesses, and there is no shame in it.”
Playing for a Cause Close to His Heart
The quiz wasn’t just for glory—Stephen was competing to raise funds for Mind, the mental health charity he’s championed since 2011. He praised the warm and supportive live audience, calling it a “lovely” experience.
“The audience were lovely, very warm, very appreciative. It was nice to feel they were on your side,” he said. “It’s not about exposing ignorance. Anything is better than nothing when it comes to charity.”
Star-Studded Line-Up and ITV Premiere
The celebrity edition is hosted by Jeremy Clarkson and features an impressive cast, including former athlete Jeanette Kwakye, broadcaster Richie Anderson, Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, Channel 4 anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, and ex-BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.
Don’t miss it—tune in Sunday, January 26 at 8pm on ITV.
Championing Mental Health and Honoured Knight
Stephen Fry’s quiz appearance ties into his long-standing mental health advocacy. His 2006 documentary, Stephen Fry’s The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive, gave a candid insight into his battles with bipolar disorder. His efforts earned him a knighthood in the recent New Year Honours for services to mental health, environmental causes, and charity.
