Tipping Point viewers all make same complaint over 'frustrating' episode

Tipping Point fans were left fuming after viewing tonight's ITV show as they complained that the episode had already aired just weeks earlier.

Contestants aim to bank as much as they can during the nail-biting general knowledge quiz as they compete to become £20,000 richer or walk away with a series of glitzy prizes. Hosted by Ben Shephard, it's usually hugely popular with viewers - but the repeat was quickly noticed on Twitter, and the ITV show was called out for it.

"This #TippingPoint was on weeks ago not even months, weeks!!" one observant fan complained. "This programme was on very recently....#tippingpoint," another agreed.

"Watching this thinking how annoyed I was recently that a pamper kept choosing 2 counters to finally realise it’s the same episode as before! Where’s the new ones at? #TippingPoint," a third chimed in. A frustrated fourth viewer simply quizzed: "Why is this one on AGAIN???"

"You're right! Why do they keep interspersing repeats with 'New' episodes?" asked another. Meanwhile, others complained that they'd prefer to see "real" contestants whose lives would be drastically changed by a win rather than the cash prizes going to "ready made" people looking for a new holiday or car.

One fan wrote: "Nobody's ever allowed on here and says they'd use the money to afford heating in the winter, or be able to have 7 hot meals a week instead of 2 or 3! Lets have some REAL members of the population on!"

However, it was a good day for claiming winnings as Ben quipped that one contestant, Mandy, had "practically cleaned us out of prizes".

She missed out on the milestone £20,000 cash prize, but secured £3200 plus a spa break and an instant camera.

Meanwhile, Ben, who presents This Morning alongside Cat Deeley, has been a huge hit as a Tipping Point presenter.

However, his popularity hasn't always been so high, as Express.co.uk previously revealed that he was let go from what he'd hoped would be at least a two year stint on Channel 4's T4 show.

He previously told OK! magazine that his sacking, at age 25, "was brutal because it came out of nowhere".

"I thought I was going to be with Channel 4 for a couple of years. Then all of a sudden it was done and I clearly hadn’t been good enough in that role," he explained, reflecting on how tough it was to "suddenly not have an income and job".

However, he added: "What you realise is that when something goes wrong and then [another] opportunity comes along, you grab it even harder.”