I won £50k on a game show, AMA

[hungrybirdy]

For identifying reasons I will not tell you the game show. However it was a prime time one and was watched by millions on one of the main channels.

For anyone interested, ask away and I’ll answer what I can

It’s tipping point!! Love that show x

@notacooldad

Did you have people asking you to 'lend' them money once they found out about your win?

Someone jokingly sent me a request for £1,000. No one asked or expected money.

DH did ask for a more expensive present for his birthday though which I was happy to get for him.

I do think a general sentiment changed regarding money though, people didn't seem as worried about not paying me back for small things etc. But it wasn't a huge deal.

My friends all believe I've spent the money.

@ICanSeeARainbow123

People can still google "contestant wins £50k on ITV game show" OP. Just to warn you x

Thank you, luckily I was a little bit of a liar with the amount, it wasn't specifically this amount but not different enough to matter. I don't come up with that information, although sorry for the woman who does haha!

@Marianne1234

I just googled £50k win on The Cube and all I found were articles about the two brothers who were on it recently who apparently cheated in their £50k win. Scandal.

Oooooo link? Gossip

I am not an accountant from Essex, sorry guys.

That's exactly what an accountant from Essex WOULD say

@Vanishun

That's exactly what an accountant from Essex WOULD say

Haha, I have googled this woman and I wouldn't mind being that young again. I would have used it for a house deposit though instead of a wedding (if it's the same article?)

I am just picking up my youngest from dance class and will answer any more questions.

If someone does correctly find me / identify me I will ask for the thread to be deleted. But until then...ask away!

"It was a quiz show, interesting format, not just the typical q&a type.

I received the money in Jan this year - I have spent £15k of it. It went on holidays, gifts and charity.

The rest is invested in a Vanguard account."

Sorry, I received the money January LAST year, it was before COVID. We managed to go on a big family holiday JUST before lockdown.

Watched by millions?
A somewhat paltry prize for prime time!

Take it you were out before the big bucks?

Do you get financial advice with that sort of win or does the show wash its hands of you and just plonk it in your account one day?

@Happy1982ish yes I didn’t win the main prize but I was absolutely fine with that.

@hotmeatymilk none at all. You do get warned and asked to sign a disclaimer that you won’t start paying for things on credit expecting the money. I think that if anything negative happens they can withdraw the money.

Ooh that's interesting, about the disclaimer. If it was general knowledge questions, did you find you were able to keep calm and remember the answers or did you think back and realise you did know the correct answer?
Have you watched the episode back?
Will you apply for more game shows?
Did it feel like a lot longer than 56 days for the money to clear?
Huge amount of questions, sorry!😁

Did you get taxed on the money?

@IAmTheLovechildOfYvesAndIsabel no worries, currently sat in the car waiting for DD. Completely forgot there’s a mini award thing tonight but parents can’t come because of COVID, ridiculous.

Anyway, to answer:
I did forget some answers and probably could have progressed to the next stage if I’d have been a bit less nervous. However my opponent was very good.

I watched it with family at the time and was cringing a lot! The episode is no longer available though to watch which is a good thing. There was only a bit of local press about my win which I’m glad of. The big winner of the night stole the main headlines!

It felt like forever! We filmed in October 2019 and because of the bank holidays / Christmas period it took forever.

We were lucky though that we booked a once in a lifetime trip to Disney (which I did secure on a credit card!) because the money came through just before the total amount was due!

I didn’t tell many that I’d gone on the show (let alone won anything) so some friends did see it and start messaging, most people were happy for me. Covid had just begun when it aired so a lot of people were at home to watch.

@Rogue1001 the money is tax free!

After appearing on TV did you get any begging letters from anyone or did any friends or family harass you for money?

@hungrybirdy I forgot to say Congratulations!
Thanks for answering my questions.
I think it's wonderful that you spent some on a holiday and nice things!
I am pretty disappointed about the long wait though, that doesn't feature in any of my day dreams......when I am handed the giant check and get the next plane to somewhere sunny with only my toothbrush, passport and bank card - 'cos I'll buy whatever I'll need when I get there! 😂

I really don't like how some posters try to "out" another who has made it very clear that they want to be anonymous. Why? It's not a good look.

You said most people were happy for you.
Was anyone a twat about it?

After the filming, was there anything you were told not to do or you'd lose the money? Were there NDAs?

How many auditions did you have to do before you got to play? What were they looking for in the auditions?

To answer a few together:

Thanks for those not trying to out me. But I feel very bad for the woman that people thought I was due to my attempt at concealing. Probably caused a lot of random attention to her news article. Luckily, no one has got it yet but it’s probably because I wasn’t the big prize winner.

No one was a twat to my face. I think a lot of people assumed that the things I owned pre-win were sudden luxurious over spending since the win. I had a few comments on my handbags but most were bought by DH as presents through the years - no one seemed to have noticed before or maybe assumed they were fake!

I’m a SAHM right now so people did seem to think I’d suddenly have my own money and be able to spoil myself but DH and I share money, but DH was very good about it, never assumed it was family money. Of course it is, but I’ve put it into a long term ISA for the future / kids.

There were 3 phone auditions and 1 in person audition with a group of people. A few were in the show at a later date. I’m not sure what they were looking for but to guess, it was team work, showing “personality” and not coming across nervous. I have a strong accent and people seemed to enjoy this, so maybe that’s the key?!

After filming you were told not to tell anyone except immediate family. You were not allowed to post on SM and you were told to make all social media private and to stay away from Google and comments about you.

Due to lockdown just beginning I was amongst a swarm of tweets about Covid and China and the beginning of it. Italy was dominating headlines so people weren’t too consumed about being keyboard warriors. I did look myself up (too much temptation!) there were some nasty comments but mainly because of the question I got wrong which meant I didn’t win the main round.

Just the other day I watched a Chase episode where a woman won 50k ( though you now say this wasn't the true amount ) Not sure how old the show was, it had been languishing on the planner for a while.

Anyway, we were really chuffed for her because it was sort of out of the blue 🤗
If that was you OP, congrats!you deserve it

@Justleaveitblankthen not the chase, I’m afraid. But I do love watching people win. It makes you feel happy if they look like they’d do good with it.
I hope I did give off a good impression! Not sure my show was that popular as not many seasons but I think it’s coming back soon.