I've had several messages that the format for Red or Black is stolen from the Ultraquiz, a show I hosted back in the 1980s.

I can see the similarity. Mr Cowell; care to comment?
Big difference - the Ultraquiz got great ratings... 7 million viewers...

see P4 of this photo section

65mylifesofar.com/part6.html?start=3

It goes deeper too. Red or Black was originally piloted around 2001 and had Brian Conley in the presenters chair. ITV heads hated it, saying that was just based on luck and no skill.

Someone recently mentioned that Deal or No Deal was the same, but it's not. There is a luck element there, but it's on the skill and bottle of the contestant to bail out if need be or take it to the final two boxes. Noel Edmonds as well really adds a great deal of respect to that programme too.

Doctor Who beat Red or Black in the ratings last night - and the ratings for Red or Black had nose dived.

The first modern day chink in Cowell's armour?