Tipping Point has been a hit on our TV screens for the past decade. Keeping viewers on tenterhooks as contestants compete to win £10,000, but what really keeps fans hooked is the speculation around the show’s enigmatic machine. The seemingly simple game sees competitors answering questions from host Ben Shephard, with a chance to put a coin in the machine.
A counter then nudges some of them out, with each one equating to £50 in prize money. Savvy players might increase their winnings if they score a double counter, catapulting their earnings and chance of securing a spot in the finale.
The final round features the jackpot counter which is worth an impressive £10,000 and there’s potential for the pot to be even more sizeable if it drops with a double counter. Despite all of this, the real allure lies in the unmasking of the inner mechanics of the well-known machine.
(Image: ITV)
More than just a series of flashing lights and noise, Ben revealed in an interview that the iconic counter machine is based on a “complicated system”.
Back in 2019, he gave fans an exclusive insight into some of the most pressing queries about the fan-favourite programme.
Speaking to the Huffington Post, he explained: “It’s a really complicated system that is run by the gallery. It’s such a complicated setup, which is why when people ask if we can take it on the road, that’s the reason why we can’t.”
(Image: ITV)
While the machine operates on its own complex electronics, there’s still a person who plays a crucial role sitting behind the machine. “He has to make sure the hydraulics are going at the right pace because sometimes they can be too fast. He has to make sure the hoppers that feed the counter are full,” Ben revealed.
A ladder is positioned behind the machine so production team members can fill it with counters when they’re ready to drop. To start the game, 40 counters are placed in no particular order. Behind the scenes, a runner comes onto the set to count the number of fallen counters, allowing Ben to inform contestants how much money they’ve won. The runner then clears the dropped counters.
(Image: ITV)
Before each show, counters are individually polished to ensure no markings appear on camera. Despite Ben’s confirmation that the setup is very real, fans continue to speculate wildly, with some even suggesting “secret magnets” are influencing the game. One fan theory suggests there’s more than meets the eye on the popular game show.
One eagle-eyed fan took to Twitter to share their suspicions, posting: “#tippingpoint definitely a magnet underneath pulling that to the left, that’s not physically possible otherwise!” Alongside their comment, they uploaded a clip showing the counters unnaturally veering to the left.
The footage quickly sparked a flurry of speculation among viewers, with many chiming in with their thoughts. One person tweeted: “There have been many odd moves of the counters over the years. Fishy!”.
Another viewer was convinced there was some trickery at play, commenting: “I always think the machine is slightly tilted to one side.”
Echoing this sentiment, another added: “I’ve often thought there must be a magnet under the metal bed. It couldn’t be static could it?”
A fourth fan didn’t hold back, calling the situation “pretty scandalous”.
Tipping Point airs on ITV, weekdays, at 4pm.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
