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If there’s one thing Brits enjoy more than watching unsuspecting members of the public do terrible things on quiz shows, it’s when celebrities are the ones in the seats.
With the advent of TV game shows came the addition of well-known charity versions, and over the years many stars have shown why they should stick to their day jobs.
From Casualty star Amanda Henderson thinking Greta Thunberg’s name was Sharon on Mastermind, to Corrie actress Hayley Tamaddon suggesting it was actually Margaret Thatcher who sat on the British throne at the start of the 20th century, celebrities have been known to give some downright ridiculous quiz answers.
And the latest quiz show came from actress Helen Flanagan who, when asked by The Weakest Link host Romesh Ranganathan what the White Cliffs of Dover is made of, replied: ‘Cheese.’
MailOnline takes a look back at some of the most bizarre celebrity quiz answers from celebrities to grace our screens.
MailOnline takes a look back at some of the most bizarre answers to celebrity quiz questions following actress Helen Flanagan’s cheese fork
Helen Flanagan on The Weakest Link: Cheese
The Weakest Link fans were left in hysterics after Helen Flanagan gave a hilarious answer to a light question.
The former Coronation Street star, 33, appeared on the celebrity quiz show on Saturday night alongside fellow stars Kaye Adams, JB Gill, Adam Pearson, Toyah Willcox, Davood Ghadami and Ivo Graham.
Unfortunately, Helen’s nerves seemed to be getting to her and she didn’t get off to a good start with several wrong answers.
Host Romesh Ranganathan then asked her: ‘In geology, the White Cliffs of Dover are mainly made of what substance – chalk or cheese?’
Helen hesitated and then replied, ‘Cheese?’ before Romesh told her, the correct answer was chalk.
The actress later explained that she had thought Dover was in Cornwall and then automatically thought of cheese.
Amanda Henderson on Mastermind: Sharon Thunberg
Casualty star Amanda Henderson left Celebrity Mastermind viewers in tears in 2020 when she mistakenly thought Greta Thunberg’s name was ‘Sharon’
Casualty star Amanda Henderson left Celebrity Mastermind viewers in tears in 2020 when she mistakenly thought Greta Thunberg’s name was ‘Sharon’.
The actress, 37, was asked by quiz show host John Humphries about the name of the Swedish climate change activist who wrote the book ‘No one is too small to make a difference’.
But the confused actress, who stars as nurse Robyn Miller in the BBC soap, had the audience howling when she replied: ‘Sharon?’
Henderson appeared alongside actor Paul Chuckle, TV chef Levi Roots and comedian Geoff Norcott on the celebrity edition of the show.
She excelled in her specialty, songs from Disney animated films from 1989-1999, but faltered in the general knowledge round.
John Humphries asked: ‘The 2019 book titled No-one is Too Small To Make A Difference is a collection of speeches given by a Swedish climate change activist. What is her name?’
She replied simply: ‘Sharon.’
Hayley Tamaddon on Tipping Point: Margaret Thatcher
Hayley Tamaddon shocked Tipping host Ben Shephard when she guessed that the monarch sitting on the British throne at the beginning of the 20th century was Margaret Thatcher
In 2014, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars saw X Factor winner Sam Bailey compete against Coronation Street actress Hayley Tamaddon.
Despite winning the show after gymnast Louis Smith, 34, was knocked out in the first round and Sam, 46, in the second, Hayley gave a very memorable wrong answer.
Host Ben Shephard asked Sam: ‘Which monarch sat on the British throne at the beginning of the 20th century?’
The singer was confused and passed the question on to her competitor Hayley.
“Sorry Ben, I don’t know,” said Hayley, 47, to which Ben replied: “We just need a monarch.”
“Is that Margaret Thatcher?” Hayley asked before the audience burst into laughter and the camera panned to Ben – who was in complete shock.
As the tipping point machine flashed red as the answer was entered, Ben shouted “No” and Hayley’s head fell into her hands.
Brian Dowling on Family Fortunes: Les Bean
Brian Dowling appeared on a number of reality and quiz shows in the following years, one of which was Family Fortunes, giving one of the strangest answers the show had seen
Irish TV presenter Brian Dowling rose to fame when he won the second series of Big Brother in 2001.
He appeared on a number of reality and quiz shows in the following years – one of which was Family Fortunes, giving one of the strangest answers the show had seen.
In the final round, Brian, 45, had to choose the most popular of the following: Something you wear around your neck, a sport that involves throwing something, a treatment you might have to have at the beauty salon, a type of bean and something. people do when they are bored.
When asked about a type of bean, Brian’s immediate guess was ‘Baked’. The buzzer sounded to say his brother had chosen that answer, meaning Brian had to choose another.
‘Lesbian,’ Brian shouted as his second reply before his jaw dropped at the realization of what he had said.
The crowd erupted into hysteria and Brian told Vernon Kay: ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’
Later, as Vernon read out to the crowd of people who had said Brian’s answer, his ‘type of bean’ was shown on screen as ‘Les Bean’.
Rosemary Shrager on The Weakest Link: Mo Farah
Anne Robinson was left fuming during 2017’s Celebrity Children In Need special when chef Rosemary Shrager tied herself up in knots answering a question about Olympian Mo Farah
Anne Robinson was known to be a complete taskmaster when she hosted The Weakest Link.
But she was left fuming during 2017’s celebrity Children In Need special when chef Rosemary Shrager tied herself up in knots answering a question about Olympian Mo Farah.
‘Rosemary, in 2017 the World Athletics Championships for men 10,000 meters was won by runner Mo, who?’ Anne asked Ladette to the Lady cook.
Rosemary hesitated before saying ‘Mo… Mo… Mo…’ to which Anne interrupted her to clarify: ‘Mo Farah.’ Rosemary replied: ‘Mo Farah yes, no?’
But she was shut down by Anne, who said: ‘It’s no use saying yes once I’ve given you the answer.’
The TV chef burst out laughing before shouting ‘Mo Farah’ at the quiz host again.
A rather unimpressed Anne said simply: ‘Quiet.’
This particular episode proved disastrous for all competitors, with Maya Jama, Kem Cetinay, Giles Coren and Rylan Clark all getting confused.
Jimmy Carr, Ellie Symonds and Fay Ripley on Catchphrase: Pirated DVDs
Stephen Mulhern was left banging his head against a wall when comedian Jimmy Carr, Olympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and actress Fay Ripley royally screwed up a Catchphrase answer in 2018
When Catchphrase was relaunched in the early 2010s with Stephen Mulhern as host, they had celebrities walk the catwalks.
But the presenter was left banging his head against a wall as comedian Jimmy Carr, Olympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and actress Fay Ripley royally cobbled together a response in 2018.
Participants had to decipher which slogan was depicted by a pirate selling a collection of films with images of pirate-themed accessories on them.
Jimmy buzzed in first and replied, ‘Pirate videos. None! Pirate DVDs. I mean what.’
“We’ll have to take your first answer Jimmy,” replied Stephen, to which the audience erupted in laughter.
But while it should have been an easy answer for either Ellie or Fay, it wasn’t to be.
‘Pirate CDs or movies’ Ellie said confidently before Stephen screamed no and pretended to bang his head on the set.
Next up was Faye who, despite the reaction to Ellie’s faux pas, said: ‘Pirate movie.’
‘No,’ cried Stephen, staring at the camera in disbelief.
