ITV quiz show contestant bafflingly thought Abraham Lincoln was alive in 1989

A clip showing a quiz show contestant debating whether Abraham Lincoln was alive 35 years ago has left many in stitches.

A Tipping Point episode from last year has been doing the rounds on social media this week after the show aired again on ITV.

In it, London based primary school teacher Hanifa tried her luck to win the prize money on the series hosted by Ben Shephard.

However, one question left her scratching her head when presented with aquestion that relating to the end of the Cold War in 1989.

She was asked: ‘At the Malta Summit in 1989, which US president declared the end of the Cold War?’

‘I should know this as I did A Level history…I’m debating between two. J.F Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln,’ she said.

Tipping Point contestant Hanifa offered a head-scratching answer to a question about the Cold War (Picture: ITV)

After hedging her bets on Kennedy, Hanifa was told her answer was wrong and the answer needed was George H.W Bush.

Ben then reminded her that JFK was president in the 1960s, while Lincoln held the role a century earlier.

At that point the teacher realised her mistake and conceded she was ‘way off’.

Ben Shephard alerted the teacher just how wrong she was (Picture: ITV)

John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963 after two years as president, whilst Abraham Lincoln led the United States through the American Civil War from 1861 until 1865, when he was assassinated.

Unsurprisingly, many people thought the answers Hanifa pondered were hilarious.

‘Absolutely, and I can’t emphasise this enough, f***ing extraordinary,’ X user Michael posted on the social media site.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 (Picture: Hulton/Archive/Getty Images)

‘I only got a C in AS History and I’m still shook,’ Katie declared.

‘The fact that my first thought seeing the question was President Bush and she…she did A Level history and is mentioning Abraham Lincoln? In 1989?? I would have forgiven the Kennedy mention but damn,’ Kim added.

Another joked they had similar gaffes all the time when attempting trivia challenges while someone else said they had ‘nothing but love and respect for not knowing who H.W is’.

Viewer James also wrote: ‘Reminder that the format of Tipping Point makes it very possible to be this wrong and still end up winning £10,000.’

Tipping Point is streaming on ITVX.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.