A man who won £99,000 on a gameshow says he “lost control of his body” when he realised he had won.
Millions watched last Saturday when Daniel O’Halloran, 24, appeared with 99 other contestants on ITV’s The 1% Club.
The show’s format sees 100 contestants begin every show - but to make it to the end and win the top prize of up to £100,000, contestants must correctly answer a question only 1% of the country would get right.
Each contestant starts with £1000 but an incorrect answer knocks them out of the game and their money goes into the Prize Pot.
Daniel was entered into the competition by his mother and travelled to Manchester with few thoughts of victory and was stunned when he later won.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “I lost control of my body. I was running around celebrating on stage in total shock. I never thought I’d be standing there on the show, let alone winning it.
“I was quite confident in getting to the latter stages of the show, but I never in my wildest dreams imagined taking home that much money.
“I thought if I got to £10,000 with no money to fall back on, I’d take the £10,000 and wouldn't gamble.
“The most excruciating part of the process was keeping his winnings secret from his family afterwards.
“It was very difficult, there were some moments I nearly blurted it out or my family would ask me and I couldn’t keep the smile on my face. I only told my grandma and a few friends.
“When they were watching it, they couldn’t believe I’d done it. It was the best thing to see.
"They were in total shock - they said some things you probably couldn’t print in the paper. They couldn’t believe I’d kept it secret.”
Since the broadcast Daniel said he felt like a minor celebrity.
He added: “It’s been crazy. People in shops and in the streets have been asking me about it. I’m overwhelmed by how kind everyone has been.
“All the other contestants were great and probably got me through it. Lee Mack was lovely too.
“I’ve got to be sensible, maybe look towards the house, pay the mortgage off. But I’ve got to enjoy it as well.
“I can’t take this for granted.”
The ITV game show has been renewed for a third series and there will be two Christmas specials planned for this year and 2024.
