Tipping Point: Ben Shephard pays tribute to ‘very special’ contestant who died before winning episode aired

Ben Shephard has paid tribute to a Tipping Point contestant who died before their episode of the show aired on TV.

Friday’s episode (15 January) saw retired secretary Margaret compete of the ITV game show, beating out three other contestants to reach the final stage of the game and walk away with £2650 and a spa break.

However, after the episode aired, a post shared on Tipping Point’s social media pages announced that Margaret had sadly died after the episode was filmed.

“After the recording of today’s programme, we spoke with Margaret’s family who shared the tragic news of her passing,” it read. “Everyone at Tipping Point would like to extend their sincerest sympathies.”

On his own page, host Shephard also shared a message about Margaret, confirming that her family had wanted the episode to air following her death.

“This was such a lovely show, and Margaret was a very special and worthy winner,” he wrote.

“We were so sorry to hear of her passing, but her family were keen that her episode was shown and enjoyed. I just want to send all my love and thoughts to her husband Paul and her family.”

During the episode, Margaret, who is from Hartlepool, said that she hoped to use her winnings to travel to India and buy a new fence for her garden.

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