A man who won the biggest prize in quiz show history was forced to flee the country after his life-changing victory – and he still has one big regret after his experience.
Graham Fletcher cashed in after scooping £1.5million on ITV competition Red Or Black which was presented by Ant and Dec.
The show was broadcast on ITV between September 2011 and September 2012 and was a firm fan favourite.
Contestants have to choose red or black each round, with those who pick the incorrect colour being eliminated.
Four players became millionaires in the first series – Nathan Hageman, Kevin Cartwright, Darren Thompson and Gary Brocklesby – who all won a million each.
And when the second series came around Graham beat their totals by winning £1.5million.
A man who won the biggest prize in quiz show history was forced to flee the country after his life-changing victory – and still has one big regret after his experience
Graham Fletcher cashed in after scooping £1.5million on ITV competition Red or Black which was presented by Ant and Dec
However once word got out of his winnings he was forced to flee his home in the UK.
He told LadBible: ‘The next day I was staying at a friend’s house and hardly anyone knew where I lived, my parents could not have told me my address, they could have driven to it but not known my address.
‘So literally 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.
‘The neighbours were stressing like I’ve done something wrong, I had to explain to them what’s happened.’
He fled to Egypt for two weeks, followed by three weeks in Cyprus, to get away from it all but other Brits living abroad still recognised him.
Graham ended up spending his winnings on a Range Rover Evoque Sport and a BMW convertible.
He also purchased a ‘rundown’ property for £600,000 and was able to sell it for £880,000 a year later.
However once word got out of his winnings he was forced to flee his home in the UK (seen with wife Lucy)
Graham now lives in Spain and works as a football agent.
While Red Or Black hasn’t ever returned to ITV, the popular Mr & Mrs game show format is being revived by ITV who are on the hunt for couples to form the ‘ultimate’ quiz show team.
To be in with a chance of being crowned Britain’s Best Couple, you simply have to know your partner inside out – and be confident about it.
It is based on the original show, which ended in 1999, and saw couples asked multiple-choice questions about each other.
The new incarnation, however, comes with a twist.
A note aimed at potential contestants reads: ‘Do you know your partner better than anyone? Are you the ultimate team?
‘Would you like to take on some fun physical challenges together?’
News of the revived gameshow comes after the format piqued audiences’ interest when used in 2007 by Vernon Kay‘s Gameshow Marathon.
This was followed up in 2008 by the All-Star Mr & Mrs, hosted by Philip Schofield, which, as its name suggests, featured celebrity couples.
While Red or Black hasn’t ever returned to ITV, the popular Mr & Mrs game show format is being revived by ITV who are on the hunt for couples to form the ‘ultimate’ quiz show team
A source said: ‘The core premise of quizzing couples is timeless.
‘The new format is in development and at this stage there are a number of plans on the table as to how the various elements of the game could work and how it would look on screen.
‘This isn’t a straight reboot, more taking the idea of challenging couples, but everyone is very excited.’
Some of the celebrity couples who featured on the 2007 revival of Mr & Mrs included Katie Price and Peter Andre.
