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 ‘s Red Or Black competition in 2012.
He 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 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 .”;
“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 tofor 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 Evoque Sport and a BMW convertible.
However, the dream of purchasing two swanky 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 S Max and a 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 and is now enjoying himself working as a 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.”
