Channel 4 viewers left stunned as Bradley Walsh tells audience quiz show is fake mid-way through show

Warning: This article contains discussion of gambling addiction which some readers may find distressing.

Well, after a week of speculation, it seems the truth about Bradley Walsh’s new quiz show has been revealed.

Rumours started spiralling on social media that Million Pound Shot was some form of ‘hoax’ before it aired. And while the mystery continued, Channel 4 had revealed that the contestants would be part of a first for British TV as they would be using their own, ‘real’ money to compete this evening (1 November).

However, it appears that really was all a bit of a lie as it turns out the broadcaster is seeming to highlight the dangers of gambling and is currently explaining all of this as the show continues now (if you fancy tuning in to find out just what's going on).

The show started off as you’d expect at 9pm; Walsh in a bright TV studio, introducing us to the three contestants. But as it went on, we’d watched contestant Reece slowly bet away his money.

He’d appeared to use his own bank card for the game, putting forward his own money to get ‘bet balls’ by answering general knowledge questions.

Yet, he was soon dipping further into his pocket, betting more and more money without really winning any.

It all seemed to come to a head when Reece was in the minus, talking about going into his overdraft and being encouraged to have one more go. He was soon emotional, appearing to be brought to tears as realisation of what he’d lost set in.

Then, an audience member appeared to be kicking off, trying to stop it as she didn’t agree with what she was seeing as he was ‘going bankrupt’. Another could be heard telling her they’d been told prior to taking their seats that gambling would feature, and if they didn’t like it then ‘don’t come in’.

As this kick-off escalated, an emotional Reece was escorted off the stage, Walsh taken aside and the production team appeared to be trying to control the audience.

Turns out it's not real. (Channel 4)

And then, the host re-appeared and served up the truth: this whole thing has indeed been fake. But, the gambling tactics, 'manipulation techniques' and language used were real.

So yes, the social media sleuths were correct this week when they thought there was something fishy about Million Pound Shot. A key pointer of course is that the show was on after 9pm – past watershed due to the gambling element.

Walsh explained to the audience that the ‘whole thing was a performance’ as the live audience looked stunned, shocked and shaken.

“Everything you’ve seen tonight draws on the techniques used by the gambling industry to manipulate its customers,” he said.

Walsh has promised that the team will now show ‘how and why we did it’ as Channel 4 viewers have been caught by surprise tonight.

Please gamble responsibly. For help, support and advice about problem gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline anytime on 0808 8020 133

Million Pound Shot is currently airing on Channel 4 if you fancy tuning in to see this twist play out.