Ian Lygo

Ian Lygo (born c. 1958), a civil servant, from Hemel Hempstead,[1] made 75 appearances on the UK game show 100% in late 1998, with the 75th appearance occurring on 14 December of that year.[2] On November 30, 2004, this record was tied by Ken Jennings on Jeopardy!. However, because Jennings lost on his 75th appearance, Lygo is the sole holder of the record for most consecutive wins on a game show.[3] Since he won £100 for each game, his total winnings were £7,500.[4]

Unlike Jennings, however, who was defeated and became a national folkhero and wanted spokesperson, Lygo would not be afforded the same treatment.

After his 73rd win, Grundy Productions, the producers of 100%, informed Lygo that they had changed the rules. From now on they were limiting the number of wins to only twenty-five, after receiving letters from viewers saying they were fed up of him winning day after day, week after week. "I was given no warning," Lygo told The Daily Mirror. "The producer came up and said, 'We are changing the format.' He said there was a new limit. I had no choice in the matter. I was told I could do two more shows and that was that. I wanted it to be made plain on the show that I was being stopped, but that didn't happen. The announcer (Robin Houston) just said, 'Well done' and 'goodbye.'"[4] According to UKGameShows.com, he believed that retiring after 100 episodes would have been more fitting with the show's theme. Lygo was, however, given a bottle of champagne by Grundy for his achievement.

After Lygo's run, the producers later decided to restrict the number of consecutive wins to 25.[2]

Lygo has a degree in history from the University of Kent. He was chosen for the show after an audition at a hotel in Devon. He works for the Highways Agency.[4]

References

  1. ↑ (December 20, 1998). "TV quiz ace gets the boot", News of the World, p. 21.
  2. 1 2 Lamer, Tony (July 11, 1999). "Trivia of Channel 5's most successful show", Sunday Mercury, p. 32. Convenience link.
  3. ↑ Berkowitz, Lana, and Parks, Louis B. (December 1, 2004). "Jennings is out of 'Jeopardy!': But game-show record-setter plans book and lecture tour", Houston Chronicle, p. 1.
  4. 1 2 3 Arnold, Harry (December 17, 1998). "Tv Quiz Chiefs Drop Mister 100 Per Cent: They alter rules after his 75th win", Daily Mirror, p. 27.
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