Chris Tarrant's Final Answer

Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire

Tonight, the final ever edition of quiz show, "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?", will broadcast to the whole of the United Kingdom after over 15 years on British television. Although tonight's episode is the final edition, I was honoured to be at the live celebrity edition of the programme two months ago which, technically, was the final ever recording of the show.

Last week's episode and tonight's programme were recorded on the day before the live broadcast on the 19th December 2013. I still recall a lot of it despite it being many weeks ago. It was my fifth time in the studio audience for that particular quiz show and I look back now with deep pride and delight that I was able to spend money and time, where available, to take part in the show through that way.

Nobody can rule out a return for Millionaire in the future and even Chris Tarrant himself has made comments in recent weeks about this. But, alas, tonight will see this famous show make it's exit from our screens. The contestant line up in the show that I was at before the New Year was the best I've ever seen in action. I don't mean to be biased but Sir Alex Ferguson and Eamonn Holmes were just awesome especially. I am looking forward to tonight's line up and being the proud Scot that I am, I am looking forward, especially, to watching Sir Chris Hoy and Kevin Bridges in action.

It is of massive credit to Chris Tarrant and the whole production team at Elstree for maintaining a high quality of programme to viewers and credit is also due to Celador, 2waytraffic, Victory Television for producing the show. Also, Elstree Studios has proven to be the perfect home for the best quiz show ever produced anywhere in the world and ITV deserves much respect for allowing the show to keep going on their station for so long.

When the credits came to it's conclusion on the live Millionaire programme in December, the audience did something I have never seen before happen in a very long time. A standing ovation prevailed for Chris Tarrant across the whole of Studio 9 at Elstree Studios. We all knew how significant the occasion was back then and all of us Millionaire fans will recognise how significant tonight's programme will be. There is a special programme at 8pm next Tuesday where Mr Tarrant will take a look back at some of the best moments from the show's 15 and a half year history.

But, alas, the title of next week's programme sums up the occasion ahead of us: "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? Chris' Final Answer.". For now though, tonight is the last ever episode of the actual quiz show itself.

Thank you Chris for being a terrific host. Thank you Elstree for the memories. Thank you Millionaire for being entertaining.