"The 12 Midday Coups": Paul was eliminated after 153 broadcasts

"Who was twice President of the Republic without being elected? This is the question that sounded Paul's death knell at the "12 Coups de Midi" on TF1. The young champion, unstoppable since April 29, responded Charles de Gaulle rather than Alain Poher. An error that eliminates the star game of the first channel, after 153 entries.

The errors, the student of history of 20 years is not however customary. The animator Jean-Luc Reichmann has also given him for nickname "WikiPaul", in reference to the encyclopedia online Wikipedia, as his knowledge seems vast and varied. Originally from Grenoble, the fallen "Master of Midi" is suffering from an Asperger autistic syndrome. "It's a bit complicated in everyday life, but it's okay," he explained on the set of TF1.

"We love you very much, we are happy about your career," Jean-Luc Reichmann was excited after his elimination, congratulating Paul for having "held the bar" for so many programs without being fooled by "all artifices around, media or human ".

"It's a thunderclap today," said the host, while Paul was content with a sober "it's pissed" to signify his disappointment.

And if the most disappointed was Jean-Luc Reichmann, who has just lost his sidekick since 153 shows? The host posted on his Twitter account a photo where he displays his complicity with the young man. "Today, you can not even imagine how proud I am of your journey, of the work you did on yourself and the happiness we shared together," he writes. "Do not let go of Paul, I will not let you go," he promises again.

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As for Paul, he is not unhappy. The young man goes back to Grenoble with 691,522 euros of earnings, whether in hard cash and various gifts (cars, appliances …). At the end of August, Ali, the father of the young man, confided on the set of TF1 he would see him open a bookstore with his earnings, because "the thing he likes is the books since he is everything small ". And then, beyond his winnings at the game, Paul won the admiration and sympathy of a crowd of viewers.

His exceptional career will not allow him to beat the record of victories in "12 Coups de Midi", still held by Christian Quesada – indicted for detention and dissemination of child pornography – with 193 broadcasts and more 800,000 euros in earnings.