Stockport quizzer becomes seventh Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?winner

The hit ITV gameshow returned for a 36th series on Sunday (April 26), with Jeremy Clarkson once again taking on the role as host.

The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter has described the new series as “exceptionally exciting”, and after the first episode, we can see why.

Quiz enthusiast becomes seventh winner on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Only six other UK contestants have ever won the £1 million prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Retired IT analyst Roman Dubowski became the seventh, winning the £1 million jackpot on Sunday night’s episode.

Mr Dubowski, a quiz enthusiast who lives just outside Stockport, said the victory felt “unreal” and revealed he celebrated the life-changing win with “a cup of tea.”

Mr Dubowski said: “It felt unreal. It didn’t feel like the real world, almost, this isn’t where I expected to be.

“It didn’t sink in until later. I did sort of go home quietly, to be honest, I didn’t get drunk – I had to have a cup of tea.

“I think it was just sitting in a quiet room and letting it all sink in, and thinking about what happened in the previous 24 hours.”

After the show, the first person he told was his sister, who was “absolutely thrilled.”

Planning to buy a new house, Mr Dubowski also hopes to travel with his winnings, naming New Zealand and South America among possible destinations.

He said he will share some of the money with his niece and nephew.

Would you have answered the £1 million question correctly?

The crucial £1 million question was: “Used since 1876, which trademarked logo is described in the James Joyce novel Ulysses and depicted in works by Manet and Picasso?”

The options were Bass Ale, The Famous Grouse, Coca-Cola, and Stella Artois.

Mr Dubowski chose to use his 50/50 lifeline before choosing Bass Ale.

He said he felt confident immediately: “When it came up… I thought, I think I know this straight away.”

He recalled seeing the Manet painting A Bar at the Folies-Bergère at The Courtauld Gallery in London, and “distinctly” remembered the red triangle, the symbol of Bass beer.

Despite confidently winning the £1 million, earlier questions nearly saw Mr Dubowski leave empty-handed.

One question asked what is mixed with vinegar, mustard, and oil to make a basic mayonnaise: plain flour, salted butter, egg yolk, or double cream.

Cooking is one of Mr Dubowski’s weak points, so he was forced to use the ‘ask the audience’ lifeline, with 93 per cent correctly choosing egg yolk.

Mr Dubowski “always” wanted to appear on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

A long-time fan of the show, Mr Dubowski said he had “always” wanted to appear on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

He first applied during Chris Tarrant’s time as host but received no reply.

Another application after lockdown was also unsuccessful.

He said: “Then in October last year, I suddenly saw an advertisement, or something online saying they’re recruiting for new competitors again.

“I thought oh, might as well try again, got nothing to lose, and just from that sort of casual opening, it ended up with the top prize.

“So I’m just happy I did it really.”

For other quizzers considering applying, Mr Dubowski recommended the book A To Z of Everything by Trevor Montague.

Previous winners on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Before Mr Dubowski, only six other UK contestants have won the £1 million prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?:

• Donald Fear (2020)
• Judith Keppel (2000)
• David Edwards (2001)
• Robert Brydges (2001)
• Pat Gibson (2004)
• Ingram Wilcox (2006)

Would you have got Sunday’s £1 million question right on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.