ITV The 1% Club debate erupts as fans divided by 'jarring' new feature in Lee Mack quiz show

Contestant Alice admitted she had "no idea" what she was doing on the programme, initially thinking it was "a scam" orchestrated for a surprise proposal.

"There's still a part of me that thinks he might come out halfway through," she admitted.

Mack, who even pantomimed getting down on one knee himself, responded with humour to Alice's belief, telling her "I don't want to shatter your dreams but he's not!"

Alice's proposal fantasy continued until she was eliminated during the 25% question and no potential fiancé emerged.

"That is heartbreaking, that is absolutely heartbreaking but never mind. You did well to get this far!" Lee responded sympathetically.

While Alice’s lack of proposal moved some viewers, others were distracted by the harsh new way contestants' wrong answers were revealed.

Instead of a mass exodus of incorrect quizzers, the show now singled out each unlucky contestant one by one with their spotlight turned off and a camera close-up.

They were then left bathed in sombre blue light for the rest of the show after an interrogation from Mack.

The first question, which 90 oer cent of the surveyed audience got correct, saw two contestants left mortified as they were cast in blue light.

Mack attempted to commiserate by suggesting: "I do have a theory that the 90% question is one of the hardest ones. Not because of the question but because it's the first one and you’re saying, 'Don’t go out on the first one'."

However, after some playful banter at his expense with one of the early leavers he grinningly declared: "Well, I take back everything I’ve said so far. If you go out on the 90% question, you are just stupid!"

Almost immediately after the humiliating new way of dispatching incorrect answerers was seen, viewers took to social media to debate the format change.

"Obsessed with them showing all the idiots getting their lights turned off #The1PercentClub," one savaged.

Another wrote with glee: "Absolute love the new individual elimination blue light on #the1percentclub, the light of humiliation and shame!"

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"Loving the new lights out effects #The1PercentClub," a third glowed.

However, others disagreed with the new approach.

"Can’t say I’m a fan of them showing who’s been eliminated before they say how many have been. #The1PercentClub," one admitted.

Another asked: "Anyone else finding the elimination lights thing a bit jarring? #The1PercentClub."