Nov 11, 2019  Debate is raging on social media after a Wheel of Fortune host misheard a contestant – potentially gifting her thousands in prize money. It’s not the first time a game show blunder has. Oct 15, 2019  When you're a contestant on a game show like, oh, I don't know, Wheel of Fortune, they always do those generic introductions where you're supposed to talk about how beautiful your spouse is and how wonderful your children are. They're generally not very interesting and kind of a waste of time.

• Past Contestants Wheel Of Fortune

One tiny, three-letter slip up was all it took for hapless Wheel of Fortune contestant Kristen Shaw to lose a fortune – and outrage viewers.

Kristen Shaw solved the puzzle but missed out on the prize due to a technicality.Source:Supplied

A Wheel of Fortune contestant missed out on almost $15,000 in cash and prices over a technicality that is dividing viewers.

Last week, Kristen Shaw appeared on the US version of the popular game show – but ended up losing a crossword puzzle challenge despite answering correctly.

Ms Shaw and other contestants were tasked with solving four words that all had the word “field” in common.

The correct answers were “right”, “football”, “left” and “Sally”.

However, while Ms Shaw managed to guess all four words, she did not win the round because she accidentally uttered the word “and” while listing the words, telling host Pat Sajak: “Right, football, left and Sally.”

Mr Sajak told Ms Shaw she was incorrect and threw to fellow contestant Bryan Idler, who won the round

Some have called for the rules to be changed following Ms Shaw’s disastrous appearance.Source:Supplied

Ms Shaw’s three-letter slip up meant she missed out on a $US1950 ($A2872) cash prize as well as a holiday to Nashville, valued at $US8000 ($A11783), bringing her total losses to more than $A14,600.

“Most times I caution people not to add anything, and you maybe didn’t even hear yourself say it, but you threw an ‘and’ in there with the last thing and we have to go by the rules,” Sajak said while explaining Ms Shaw’s mistake on-air.

A show spokesperson also explained the controversial decision in an interview with Fox News.

Past Contestants Wheel Of Fortune

“Our longstanding rule is that in order to have a correct puzzle solve, a contestant must say only what is on the board without adding words,” the spokesperson said.

“Contestants are thoroughly briefed prior to the show, and Pat often reminds them of this rule when solving a puzzle in this particular category.”

However, the rule is dividing fans of the show on social media, with some calling for it to be amended.

“Utterly ridiculous that you didn’t give credit to Kristen for the ___ field puzzle because she said ‘and’ before the last word of the list. Functionally no different from the pauses you allow. You know she knew the puzzle. Not cool,” one Twitter user posted.

Kristen Shaw (left) solved the puzzle, but fellow contestant Bryan Idler (right) won the round.Source:Supplied

“Sad to see her and others lose because of this rule. Stupid technology!” another added, while another person wrote: “The rule makes me grind my teeth as well!”

But others insisted the rules must be obeyed.

“Rules are in place for a reason and Wheel has been fair to all contestants for years! Don’t change a thing,” one person wrote, while another said: “And was not part of the solution to the puzzle … the crossword format is not grammatically correct. The contestant was also warned not to add ANY words to her solution.”

The furore comes just days after another involving US Wheel of Fortune.

Earlier this month, Sajak was accused of potentially gifting guest Angela Evans thousands of dollars after she asked for a letter that Sajak heard as a “D” – although many viewers were convinced Ms Evans had actually said “B”.

After Sajak decided Ms Evans had chosen “D”, the contestant went on to solve that round’s puzzle, which was “Drinking from a coconut”.

She ultimately went home with prizes worth $US19,800 ($A28,856).

It's one of the most famous and instantly-recognisable game shows on the planet. But an on-air fail has dragged its host through the mud.

Social media users have slammed a Wheel of Fortune host's mistake. Picture: Twitter/@lakeside_23Source:Twitter

Debate is raging on social media after a Wheel of Fortune host misheard a contestant – potentially gifting her thousands in prize money.

The scandal occurred last week during the US version of the popular game show when guest Angela Evans was asked to select a letter.

She asked for a letter that host Pat Sajak heard as a “D” – although many viewers were convinced Ms Evans had actually said “B”.

After Sajak decided Ms Evans had chosen “D”, the contestant went on to solve that round’s puzzle, which was “Drinking from a coconut”.

Ms Evans, a Marine Corps veteran who had appeared on the show during the annual Veterans’ Week special, ended up progressing to the next round – when a similar potential stuff-up again occurred.

SHE SAID B!!!!! NOT D!!! She shouldn’t have won this round Pat!!! Wow. #WheelOfFortunepic.twitter.com/t43o2cOK2V

— Di✨ (@lakeside_23) November 8, 2019

She appeared to request the letters “B”, “H”, “D” and “A” – but when the host asked her to confirm whether the third letter was a “D” she corrected him and said it was a “B” – before changing her mind and insisting it was a “D”.

Ms Evans did not win that round but ultimately went home with prizes worth $US19,800 ($A28,856).

Twitter has been flooded with complaints from viewers who are convinced the Wheel of Fortune host misheard the contestant and effectively handed her a win.

Some have even called for Sajak’s resignation over the incident.

“SHE SAID B!!!!! NOT D!!! She shouldn’t have won this round Pat!!! Wow,” one Twitter user posted, while another wrote: “I’m sorry does this guy not understand his letters. This is the second time! Come on!!!”

Ms Evans walked away with $28,856 in prizes. Picture: Twitter/@lakeside_23Source:Twitter

“He’s been hosting the show for 36 years and can’t distinguish a clear B from a D? Maybe time to retire …” another said, while another claimed: “OMG this is outrage! Her winnings should be taken away! She said B.”

However, Ms Evans has weighed into the debate, hitting back at Twitter critics and insisting she said “D” all along.

When one Twitter user claimed the woman had “Definitely said B. as in bullsh*t”, Ms Evans responded with: “Nope. D as in Definitely said D.”

Wheel of Fortune debuted on US TV screens in 1975, and Sajak has hosted since 1981.

The 73-year-old was recently temporarily replaced by hostess Vanna White as he underwent emergency surgery “to correct a blocked intestine”, according to the Wheel of Fortune Twitter account.

However, it’s not the first time a game show blunder has made global headlines.

In July this year, popular UK quiz show Countdownleft its hosts red-faced — and fans in stitches – after one seven-letter clue took a “risky” turn when co-host Rachel Riley uncovered the letters “N”, “R”, “W”, “A”, “E”, “K”, “S”, “O” and “M” during an episode.

Two contestants who had to rearrange the letters to make a new worth both submitted the term “wank*rs”, drawing audible laughs from the audience.

Vanna White and Pat Sajak, pictured in 2007, have co-hosted Wheel of Fortune for years. Picture: Peter Kramer/AP PhotoSource:AP

And in January this year, TV legend Jeremy Clarkson – the host of the UK’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? – was accused of cheating by helping a contestant on air.

And back in 2001, another major scandal rocked Who Wants to be a Millionaire? in the UK when Charles Ingram was a contestant on the program with his wife Diana and friend and university lecturer Tecwen Whittock in the audience.

The group devised a scheme to ensure a million-dollar win, with Mr Whittock coughing to indicate the right answers and blowing his nose when wrong answers were read.

He ended up winning the lot but was later forced to hand the cash back and was also convicted of deception in court.

And in 1999, contestant Tony Kennedy scored £64,000 ($A114,432) after his incorrect answer was accepted as correct.

He was asked, “Theoretically, what is the minimum number of strokes with which a tennis player can win a set?” and given four possible answers – 12, 24, 36 and 48.

Mr Kennedy went with 24 – but 12 was the right answer.