Probe underway into disputed TV quiz question

An investigation was under way today after claims that a disputed answer to a question cost a contestant £93,000 on the Irish version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

The argument centred on the medical word lunula. Asked where it was in the body, Shane O’Doherty said - after phoning a friend - that it was in the heart.

But Gay Byrne, presenter of the RTE 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.

The debate took a new turn today when leading Irish heart surgeon Maurice Nelligan maintained the lunula he knew was definitely to be found in the heart.

The issue dominated phone-in Irish radio programmes today, but Tyrone Productions, the makers of the show, said four reference books had backed up the nail answer.

This was in accord with rules signed by contestants and their decision was final, the company added.