A MAN who won the biggest prize in UK quiz show history had to suddenly flee the country after scoring the jackpot.
Former carpenter Graham Fletcher, then 32, scooped up £1.5million on Ant and Dec‘s Red Or Black competition in 2012.
ITVGraham Fletcher won £1.5million on the spin of a giant roulette wheel[/caption] ITVHe won the biggest cash prize ever on a British television game show[/caption] When the 32-year-old won, he said ‘everything’s changed’ITVHe participated in the ITV broadcast on September 8 where he went through a series of rounds choosing red or black.
Graham won on a spin of a giant roulette wheel in June, which was the biggest cash prize ever, but the episode didn’t air until later in the year.
In the first series there were four millionaire winners – went Graham joined for series two and beat all of their prizes, taking home a whopping £1.5million.
Despite being thrilled with the life-changing sum, once word got out Graham was forced to flee his home country.
He told LadBible: “A handful of people knew where I lived – the next day I had press outside my house and it was in the papers next day.
“No one was supposed to know what had happened but I get out to go in the car and the next thing I know there’s 10 photographers.”
One of the first things he and his wife Lucy, along with their three kids, did was move to a posh new house in Burghfield.
Thanks to his mammoth cash win he was also able to take the family abroad for a big holiday.
He flew to Egypt for a couple of weeks to avoid by pestered by other people and paparazzi and then headed to Cyprus.
At the time of his win, he said: “Everything’s changed. I’m stress-free over money.”
“I get to see the kids more. I’m naturally a worrier and sensitive – but now I’m relaxed.
“I took my whole family on holiday to Cyprus for three weeks. I’m from a big Irish family and it’s the first time the whole family have ever been abroad together.”
His win was publicised so widely his fame spread overseas, and Graham was even recognised by Brits abroad.
The dad-of-three splurged some of his winnings on Range Rover Evoque Sport and a BMW convertible.
However, the dream of purchasing two swanky cars didn’t end up being all he’d hoped for.
Despite spending £150,000 on the motors he said that they were a waste of money.
He acknowledged that they were “beautiful” but said after a few weeks they were “just a car.”
The humble prize-winner now drives around in a seven-seater Ford S Max and a Golf Sport.
He explained that life was put into perspective for him when one of his kids was kicked in the head by a horse when he was juts a baby.
The youngster was put in a coma his devastated parents were warned he might not make it.
Thankfullly, the tot survived and Graham had a new set of priorities in life – he said he was grateful his big win didn’t change him and nearly losing his little lad gave him a fresh outlook.
Graham decided to stay out in Spain and is now enjoying himself working as a football agent.
He added: “I would definitely advise someone that wins a massive amount of money to never go public, but don’t not help people -there’s no point being the wealthiest man in the grave.”
UK's biggest lottery winners
By Ethan Singh
Anonymous winner – £195,707,000A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time.
The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket.
Joe and Jess Thwaite – £184,262,899.10Britain’s previous EuroMillions record holders were Joe and Jess Thwaite.
The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children’s ponies.
Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news.
As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping.
Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children.
Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000Colin and Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe’s second-biggest winners until someone in Italy won a jackpot worth £193m in 2019.
They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck.
But at the time of Colin’s death in December 2019 his share of the prize money had dwindled by around £40m.
He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported.
Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years.
He left money for their children Carly and Jamie.
Adrian and Gillian Brayford – £148,600,000Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million.
But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win.
The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021.
After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge.
She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought.
It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year.
Frances and Patrick Connolly – £114,969,775Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot.
They scooped almost £115 million on New Year’s Day 2019.
She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family.
Richard and Debbie Nuttall – £61,000,000The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024.
Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win.
Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account.
Other eye-watering anonymous winners:
2019 – £123millionAnother anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover.
2021 – £122millionFollowing nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April.
The successful participant chose to remain anonymous.
2018 – £121millionAnother anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.
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