“I just can’t believe it” Kind-hearted fundraiser scoops a huge £110,000 prize on The Wheel
Paul scooped one of the largest amounts ever won on the BBC show
A Gosport fundraiser scooped a huge £110,000 on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel which he says will help him to support his charity work.
Paul Lees answered a final question with broadcaster Kate Garraway about the Greek god Poseidon which doubled the prize pot from £55,000 to £110,000 - the second largest amount ever won on the programme.
Screened last night (November 14), the BBC One game show has viewers on the edge of their seats as the creator of One Box of Fudge waited anxiously to see if he had won the huge prize or was going home with nothing.
“I just can’t believe it,” he told Michael McIntyre immediately afterwards.
As previously reported by The News, Mr Lees makes fudge which he sells online and at events, with the proceeds having gone to charities such as Sophie’s Legacy, Andy’s Man Club Gosport, and Harbour Cancer Support Support Centre.
The idea first came about when he was recovering from a serious injury sustained on a fairground ride last October 2022, finding the process of fudge-making a ‘therapeutic’ hobby. And now he plans to help support his charity work further.
The dental practice manager told viewers: “The impact of what I am going to be able to do, like with with One Box of Fudge.
“There’s so much horrible stuff going on in the world, people feel so overwhelmed by stuff that what I always try to do is just make my piece of the world better. I feel that what I have done with One Box of Fudge is making that happen. When people see this they are just going to be made up.
“I’ve not even thought about me - I have never seen that amount of money in my life.”
Posting on his One Box of Fudge social media page today, Mr Lees said he has been overwhelmed by the messages he has received following his appearance on the BBC show.
He said: “By the time I got to bed at half two, I checked my phone and I’ve literally had thousands of messages, emails and comments from you all, with the hugest outpouring of love I have ever received, for what I do
“I don’t think I will ever forget this moment, as long as I live and boy do I feel unbelievably proud and so loved by you all.
“I know so many of you want to buy fudge, but as you’ll know from watching last night, I’m a very proud Practice Manager, doing this in my spare time and go back to work as normal next week.
“So what I’m going to do today is get the rest of the fudge made for my Christmas stall at St Matt’s on the 28th of November and then I will just go from there and deal with one message and One Box of Fudge at a time.
“It might take some time for me to come back to you, but just know from the bottom of my heart, that I am so so grateful for all of your love and support during this very wild and incredible time.”
Mr Lees is also well-known as a musician performing for many years under the name Paul Andreas.
One Box of Fudge offers free delivery in Gosport but also posts across the UK. To find out how to support the charity visit www.oneboxoffudge.com.
You can find out more about Mr Lees’ story – and the organisations he is working to support – by visiting the One Box of Fudge Facebook page where he shares regular updates.