Roman Dubowski, a retired IT consultant, achieved a remarkable feat on Sunday night, becoming only the seventh contestant to win the coveted £1 million prize on the long-running quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The show, which first aired in 1998, saw Dubowski correctly answer 15 challenging questions to reach the final round.

A Thrilling Journey to the Top

The episode, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, opened the show’s 35th series. Dubowski’s path to victory wasn’t without its hurdles. He initially struggled with the £1,000 question, requiring him to utilize his “Ask The Audience” lifeline.

Strategic Lifeline Usage

Further along, Dubowski used his “Phone A Friend” lifeline for the £4,000 question, consulting his sister on a question concerning Japanese fashion retailers. Her correct answer proved crucial, allowing him to confidently progress through questions covering mythology, theatre, the Harry Potter series, and his areas of expertise: history and geography.

Plans for the Winnings

Before reaching the final question, Dubowski shared his modest plans for the winnings, mentioning home improvements, including a new kitchen. Clarkson playfully suggested he could afford two with a potential £1 million prize.

The Million-Pound Question

The £1 million question posed a significant challenge: “Used since 1876, which trademarked logo is described in the James Joyce novel Ulysses and depicted in works by Manet and Picasso?” After using his 50/50 lifeline, narrowing the options to Bass Ale and Coca-Cola, Dubowski confidently selected Bass Ale, recalling a Manet painting featuring the logo.

His correct answer triggered a shower of confetti and secured his place in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire history. Dubowski admitted, “It hasn’t sunk in,” and stated he would immediately share the news with his sister.

Reflections on a Life-Changing Win

Dubowski, who retired after a 34-year career as an IT analyst, revealed he initially aimed for winnings of £32,000 or £64,000, never anticipating the top prize. “Winning £1 million never really crossed my mind. It’s life-changing, but I don’t want it to be personality-changing,” he stated. He intends to use the money for home improvements and increased travel during his retirement.

Having applied to the show three times over two decades, Dubowski considered simply appearing on the program a significant accomplishment. “Just getting onto the show felt like a win,” he said, encouraging others to apply. ITV also revealed that two contestants reached the £1 million question during this season, while another experienced a substantial loss.

Previous winners include Judith Keppel (2000), David Edwards and Robert Brydges (2001), Pat Gibson (2004), Ingram Wilcox (2006), and Donald Fear (2020).