The Grand Tour host and former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson took over from Chris for the seven episode specials airing over the rest of the week.
The host gave a nod to the former presenter and his most notable contestant ever.
Jeremy warned the audience: “No coughing!”
Of course, longtime fans of the show will remember a recording of the show that took place in September 2001 with Army Major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana, together with college lecturer Tecwen Whittock, who were given fines and suspended prison sentences for cheating on the programme.
The trio won the top prize by coughing the answers for Charles who was in the hot seat opposite Chris.
Fans of the show instantly took to social media following Jeremy’s nod to the former host’s contestant.
One viewer tweeted: “Wonder if they all got given cough sweets before they went in to #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
“Everyone get your cough medicine at the ready #whowantstobeamillionaire is back!” posted another.
A third added: “Quick, get someone to cough him the answers #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
“Cough cough cough #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire,” teased another.
A fifth quipped: “Help this man out with a cough #whowantstobeamillionaire.”
“Will someone just please cough and help this guy along? #whowantstobeamillionaire #millionaire,” suggested another.
Viewers tuning in tonight for the first of the special episodes were familiar with lifelines including Ask The Audience, Phone a Friend and 50:50.
However, they noticed that the broadcaster had introduced a brand new fourth lifeline called Ask The Host.
This saw Jeremy tested on his quizzing knowledge in a show first, with The Grand Tour Host’s first lifeline question about the geography of cricket tournaments.
Jeremy was allowed to either reveal if he knew the answer or offer an opinion on what it might be.
Luckily for tonight’s first contestant, Jeremy was correct.
Jeremy explained: “If the contestant chooses that Ask The Host lifeline, they get to ask me if I know the answer. God help them.
“Anyone who doesn’t win £1,000,000 is bound, at some point, to ask me if I know the answer.
“And if it’s 1970’s prog rock music, I probably will. If it’s anything other than that, I probably won’t.”
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire continues tomorrow on ITV at 9pm.
