Hemel man scoops “life-changing” £600k windfall in radio competition

A Hemel Hempstead man has described the “incredibly amazing feeling” of winning £600,000 in Absolute Radio’s Make Me A Winner competition – with the life-changing windfall already allowing a big lifestyle change for he and his partner.

Self-employed Craig Gibson (54) received the call of a lifetime on Friday when presenter Gemma Atkinson broke the news that he had scooped the huge cash prize.

The moment was so overwhelming that Craig struggled to express his emotions as he tried to take in what had happened.

He explained: “It was just an absolutely amazing feeling - my brain instantly went to mush. I called my sister and brother-in-law after my partner and then it’s all a bit of a blur. I didn’t sleep that night because my mind was just racing thinking about everything.”

The celebrations continued into the weekend, as Craig and partner Cath (60), went to watch his stepson play in a band on Saturday. By Monday, he had already made one very practical use of his winnings – by paying off his mortgage.

The win will also transform life for Cath, who has been a pre-school manager for the past 13 years.

Craig said: “Cath handed her notice in today. She’s over the moon that she can leave work.

“She believed me straight away when I told her because she listens to Absolute too. and had heard the previous winning calls from Gemma.”

The couple, who have been together for 18 years, were already in the process of making a major change in their lives, with plans to finally move in together.

Craig’s Hemel Hempstead home has been on the market for around three weeks, but the £600,000 win means any pressure surrounding the move has now disappeared.

He said: “It’s just taken all the pressure off. We can do anything we want now.”

Craig, who is self-employed and enjoys his work, has no plans to give it up altogether. Instead, the financial freedom means he can now be far more selective about the work he takes on.

The couple are not planning a spending spree either and instead, hope to use their newfound freedom to enjoy some memorable holidays – and keen snowboarder Craig already has a few Canadian destinations in mind.

Their first post-win getaway, however, may be a little closer to home.

“We’d love to take the family to Chamonix,” Craig said. “It’s good for beginners as well, so we can take all the family.”

With the mortgage cleared and life no longer governed by financial pressure, the win has opened up possibilities they could previously only dream about, but for now, the lucky couple are looking forward to taking their time over what comes next.

You could be next! Get in the game at makemeawinner.co.uk or listen to your favourite radio station on the Rayo app for your chance to win £650,000 this Friday (August 21).

Make Me A Winner is upgrading your summer! Get you first-class ticket to life-changing cash prizes – we’ll be splashing the cash with even more chances to win every Friday! Find out more and enter at makemeawinner.co.uk