The producers of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire?TV show tonight agreed that a contestant who disputed an answer that cost him £93,000 should get a second chance.
The argument centred on the medical word ‘lunula’. Asked where it was in the body, would-be millionaire Mr Shane O'Doherty replied - after phoning a friend - that it was in the heart.
But Gay Byrne, presenter of the programme, declared that it was in the fingernail, and Mr Doherty (44) from Templeogue, Dublin, left with £32,000, rather than the £125,000 a correct answer would have secured.
Businessman Mr O'Doherty later put the matter in the hands of his solicitors for consideration of possible legal action.
And the debate later took a turn when leading heart surgeon Dr Maurice Nelligan maintained that the ‘lunula’ he knew was definitely to be found in the heart.
Tonight, Tyrone Productions, which runs the programme on RTE said it had decided to reinstate Mr O'Doherty "in the spirit of the show" at the £125,000 point - even though they repeated that the programme's answer had been in line with the rules.
It also said the move to give Mr O'Doherty a new shot at the elusive million pounds had followed considerable research and legal consultations.
Mr O'Doherty gave the gesture a guarded response, though, saying he was grateful, but would "think about it over the weekend."
He said: "It's fabulous and I am delighted to get the offer. But my wife and I are going away for the weekend to think about it, and make sure I am not taking a decision in the euphoria of the moment."
PA