A QUEENSLAND man missed out on a $1 million payday from a TV game show after being “freaked out” and wrongly answering the million-dollar question.

Buderim obstetrician Jeff Tarr last night departed Channel Nine’s Hot Seat with only $1000 after being the second person to be asked the final question in the show’s history.

Dr Tarr, who has delivered more than 5000 babies including Bindi and Robert Irwin, set a new record after answering 14 straight questions without any aides during the episode.

But he wrongly chose actor Matt Damon when asked which American actor’s original surname was “Horowitz” as the final question.

The correct answer was Winona Ryder.

Dr Tarr, 60, last night said he felt he knew the correct answer but changed his mind at the last minute and went for Damon.

“My gut was feeling was Winona … but being the million-dollar one I just freaked out,” Dr Tarr said. “I over-analysed the question. Everything changes on that million dollar question. You just feel it. I was quite amazed. The whole atmosphere changes.”

He said he had always loved trivia, read widely and had a library as the biggest room in his house.

His wife, Christine, said even though she knew the result she was still very excited watching with friends.

Source: The Courier Mail