Phone lines reopen at midday today for the Irish version of the television quiz show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?.
The show hosted by veteran RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne is returning for the summer and will be broadcast every Sunday night between 8 and 9 p.m. The first show of this season airs on Sunday June 10th.
Viewing figures during the last series reached an all time high as the first programme aired on October 17th when 1.2 million people or 72 per cent of everyone watching TV in Ireland tuned in.
Cheques totalling £2,350,000 were handed over to 70 contestants during this series. The highest amount ever won in the Irish version of the show was £250,000, won in January by 38-year-old maintenance technician Mr Roger Dowds, from Glasnevin in Dublin.
Only one contestant, Mr Patrick Hoey, originally from Gorey, Co Wexford, now Arklow, Co Wicklow, left the studio without a winning cheque.
There have been 17 female winners and 53 male winners.
Millionaireis the most successful home produced Irish television show, only surpassed in popularity by Gay Byrne's last Late Late Show.
It topped the ratings for 25 out of its 26 weeks in the last series - being beaten only once by the Late Late Toy Show.
Those wishing to take part in the show can call 1550 71 71 71 (from the Republic of Ireland) or 09012 05 05 05 (from Northern Ireland).
Calls from a landline cost 57p per minute (50p from Northern Ireland), 85p for "Ready to Go" customers and 70p for Eirtime and Sharetime options. Calls should last no longer than two minutes.
