A veteran of the fire service has been left stunned after winning a luxury car and a significant cash prize in an online competition, with the surprise reveal arriving at his doorstep.
A Life-Changing Doorstep Surprise
Graham Owen, a 61-year-old from Cheltenham, was enjoying a sandwich at home when his ordinary day turned extraordinary. BOTB presenter Christian Williams arrived to deliver the incredible news that Graham had won a top-of-the-range BMW X5 xDrive30d M-Sport and a bundle of tax-free cash, with the total package valued at close to £120,000.
The retired fireman, who served for over seven years in the Army before joining the fire service in 1990, was led down his street to find the gleaming luxury SUV parked up. Hidden inside was an additional £40,000 in cash.
Prize Follows a Difficult Family Period
The remarkable win came at a poignant time for Graham and his family. It occurred just 24 hours after he and his wife attended a service to remember a loved one, marking the end of a challenging six-month period.
"It's fantastic," Graham said. "It's a real pinch-me moment. You enter with hope, but you never expect it to actually happen. This has made my whole weekend." He admitted that while seeing other winners on video, the reality of his own luck didn't immediately sink in when he saw the presenter.
Dream Car Plans and Future Adventures
An admitted fan of BMWs, Graham had previously dreamed of owning an Aston Martin DBX but considered the running costs prohibitive. The powerful and refined BMW X5 now represents a perfect and more practical dream car for him.
Regarding his plans for the substantial cash prize, Graham intends to treat his wife and use the money to fund a series of short breaks in his new vehicle. His ambitions include touring Scotland and enjoying a long weekend in Padstow, Cornwall.
BOTB presenter Christian Williams commented on the emotional timing, saying, "After a really difficult day remembering a loved one, being able to surprise Graham with this prize 24 hours later and put a smile on his face was fantastic." Fellow presenter Katie Knight added that the car suited him perfectly and it was clear how much the win meant to him.
BOTB runs weekly competitions to give away dream cars. One of the latest prizes on offer is a BMW M5 Competition worth around £60,000, with entry tickets costing just 8p. The company's biggest current prize is a four-bedroom townhouse in Bath valued at £1.15 million, with tickets priced at £1.
