A father whose daughterbecame the second-biggest loser in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire history has claimed he was "cut off" when she rang him during the Phone-A-Friend lifeline.

Jen Essery Lillikakis appeared in a recently-broadcast episode of Jeremy Clarkson's popular ITV game show, reaching the £500,000 question before phoning her father Chris, 66, for assistance in securing half a million pounds.

Jeremy asked Jen: "According to Guinness World Records, which of these has travelled at over 260 miles per hour during a competitive game or match? Tennis ball, ice hockey puck, badminton shuttlecock or table tennis ball?"

The correct answer was ultimately revealed to be badminton shuttlecock.

The contestant used her final remaining lifeline to telephone her father, and while he was uncertain of the answer, he maintains he advised her to "take the money," which at that point stood at £250,000.

However, the call was cut short and, having not heard his guidance, she incorrectly selected ice hockey puck, ultimately leaving with just £64,000.

He said: "I think she did really well and came away with a good amount of money. At the time, when the money had been taken away, I think I actually said - after they'd stopped recording me - 'take the money', but that didn't turn up on the show.

"They cut you off after 30 seconds. You kind of realise you could have said a bit more, but time was up."

Despite the substantial loss, Chris maintained that he has "no blame" to lay upon ITV or the production and has accepted that it is ultimately a matter of luck, reports the Mirror.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: "There is no blame at all. Of course not - you throw the dice, don't you. Everyone watching at home thinks they know what it's like."

Chris had nominated his daughter as a potential Phone-A-Friend candidate and offered a fascinating glimpse into how the process works behind the scenes on the long-running game show, which also provides contestants with Ask the Audience and 50:50 lifelines.

He added: "You're sat there with a security guy - he's actually a taxi driver. A taxi driver turns up and sits in his car until they get the call, then he comes in and says "you might get called for phone a friend".

They tape the whole thing, so you're kind of waiting really, because it takes forever until they get to the point where they're going to call somebody. So you're just trying to relax while you're sat there."

Throughout her appearance on the programme, Jen disclosed that she intended to spend the prize money on a honeymoon, while Chris revealed that his daughter and her husband Kyri, who exchanged vows in Greece last August, were currently enjoying a break in Florence, Italy.

Jen, a product manager from Stratford, sailed through the early general knowledge rounds covering topics including sportswear brands, English phrases, art, Shakespeare and cookery.

Following her defeat, Jeremy told her: "Oh my god you have just lost £186,000! It is unbelievable you took a punt on that. You need a bravery award for that." She responded: "Well, that's fine. I have won £64,000."

Jen now holds the unwanted distinction of being the show's second biggest loser, behind Nicholas Bennett, who last year attempted the £1million question, answered incorrectly, and walked away having forfeited £375,000.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is available to watch on ITVX