This story is from the Daily Mirror, so it\'s a bit high on the drama:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bbc-lotto-fix-contestants-accuse-2149380
Contestants Helen Griffiths and Rina Evans said the National Lottery programme was “a fix” after they were called to re-record the ending two days after filming because the rules had been changed.
The women were told to wear exactly the same clothes and jewellery and to have their hair styled in the same way to make viewers think last night’s episode, hosted by Nick Knowles, was shot continuously.
They say that, had their original endgame been scored under the new rules, they would have won half the jackpot. But on the retry, they failed and won nothing.
Last night, a BBC spokesman said: “This is absolutely not a deception of viewers or contestants. It was clear that the initial rule was unfair. \"We agreed a rule change was necessary, and that finalists could, if they wished, replay the final game under the new rule.
There\'s also a July 27 post over on Bother\'s Bar from \"AnInsider\" making the same claim of re-recording and referring to a different set of contestants, who won on their retry:
http://www.bothersbar.co.uk/?p=7568&cpage=1#comment-107933
What you guys probably don’t know is that you didn’t see the original endings. I was there in the audience the day it was filmed and the guys tonight didn’t win!! The original rules were that you could NOT be early and both had to be within you window of opportunity to win the prize. No chance of winning half, it was all or nothing!
I have just watched it and I was shocked to see that the guys won, as I saw them lose. They must have called them up and told them they have changed the rules, told them they have won, and that they would need to go up to Glasgow to refilm the ending!
And here is the aforementioned episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rkt9TSZXyg
Last night, a BBC spokesman said: “This is absolutely not a deception of viewers or contestants. It was clear that the initial rule was unfair. \"We agreed a rule change was necessary, and that finalists could, if they wished, replay the final game under the new rule.
Highlighting what seems like the critical passage to this whole thing. \"Hey, we realized there was a flaw in the game, and to be completely and utterly fair (because future contestants will have an advantage you did not enjoy), we\'d like you ask you to come back if you want and try it again with the flaw fixed, or if you don\'t want to, your result can stand and we\'ll air that. Your option.
This is absolutely no different than inviting someone back to play again on Jeopardy! because they were wronged in some manner, except in this case they realized the offense quickly enough that they could fix the problem and make it look seamless with a little help from the contestants.
Fark the whiny contestants right in their ear. If anything I applaud the production for heading off possible controversy (of them bitching about playing under different rules) at the pass. This is an utter non-story.
Let me get this straight. The losing contestants are complaining because they were given a second chance?
Let me get this straight. The losing contestants are complaining because they were given a second chance?
No, they\'re complaining because if the new rules had been applied to their first attempt, they would have won half of whatever the jackpot was.
In other words, they\'re bitching and moaning in the hopes they get tossed a few bucks to shut up, as is the custom in situations like this.
No, they\'re complaining because if the new rules had been applied to their first attempt, they would have won half of whatever the jackpot was.
In other words, they\'re bitching and moaning in the hopes they get tossed a few bucks to shut up, as is the custom in situations like this.
Aha. They got their second chance and lost, but their first chance could have been retroactively a win. I think I get it.
In other news, this is actually a pretty nifty game. England\'s really been cranking out some winners recently.
I reckon this story could get traction on ITV\'s news programmes.
I reckon this story could get traction on ITV\'s news programmes.
Doesn\'t say very much for ITV\'s news programmes, then.