A contestant who appeared on BBC One show The Wheel on Saturday night won the largest ever amount the show has given away to date. The show sees contestants, guided by celebrity experts who are seated in a circle around the contestant, answer questions in the hope of winning money. Contestants have multiple chances at winning this money as they get another life after being knocked out in the first round.
Jonathan, from Surrey, who owns a waste-management company, came on the show to win money to "secure a future for my family" after his son encouraged him to 'make his own luck' and did just that, becoming the first contestant to win this "unbelievable" sum.
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He went on to tell the show's host, Michael McIntyre, just why he wanted this win: "My wife fell ill at the start of the pandemic, so I had to leave my job as a bus driver, train driver, started my waste management business, to give me flexibilities so that I can be around to care for her and care for my children. They're both autistic."
Michael asked if his wife was OK, to which Jonathan replied that they live in hope and that she's getting better - but "very slowly". After being knocked out on his first go Jonathan then made a return to the hot seat and ended up winning the show's largest sum given away as he took home £116,000.
Having help from celebrity comedian Darren Harriott, the question which earned him his winning ticket was: 'What does the 'F' stand for when referring to the digital assets called NFTS?'
With Darren adamant that he knew the answer, he confidently went for 'fungible' in a line up of fiscal, futureproof and forgery. After hearing that he'd won, Jonathan shot up and hugged Darren and Michael, before falling to his knees.
Standing up he said: "Thank you everyone, thank you so much. Unbelievable. I feel lost for words. It's very rare that I don't know what to say, but yeah. Very emotional. Wow, yeah. I'm going to cry, that's amazing. You've changed my life. Just unbelievable."
Viewers were quick to voice their glee at Jonathan winning after hearing his story. @cavedawes said: "Wow for Jonathan on #thewheel What an amazing win with £116,000. Was rooting for him when we heard his story!" while @SeanieQuigley27 wrote: "Huge congrats Jonathan on winning a massive £116,000 such a life changing amount of money and you deserve every penny of it I’m so thrilled for you! :)".
Another commented: "Huge well done to Jonathan, winning £116,000 on #thewheel I'm genuinely chuffed to bits for you chum, hope it makes life a bit easier. Definitely feel good telly. Congratulations!!"
The Wheel airs on BBC1 on Saturday at 6:15pm.
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