Pensions worker scoops £1 million (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pensions worker scoops £1 million

5:22pm Wednesday 13th September 2006 in Chippenham By An Editor's View

PENSIONS worker Ingram Wilcox, 61, has become the first contestant for more than two years to win the top prize on Who Wants To Be A Millioniare?

Mr Wilcox works at the Department for Work and Pensions in Timber Street, Chippenham.

His ex-wife Rebecca Wilcox joked she would not be surprised if he handed his notice in at his office in Chipp-enham. "I expect the money will come in useful for him as he planned his retirement," she said.

He first appeared on the show in 2004 but failed to get past the fastest finger first round.

Mr Wilcox, who lives in Beaufort East, Bath, was said to be absolutely delighted at winning the £1 million prize after answering all 15 questions correctly on Tuesday night.

In the audience were two of his five children, Isaac, 26, and Flora, 24, who were thrilled at their father's success.

#Mr Wilcox got over the final hurdle when host Chris Tarrant asked him: "Which of the following boxers rang the J Arthur Rank gong?" He answered correctly Bomb-ardier Billy Wells.

Mrs Wilcox said she was not surprised by his success. "He is of that calibre," he said.

She added that their children were all delighted."I have had phone calls from all of them, they are thrilled."

She said: "He was always reading. He read English at Oxford University.

"He has got a real thirst for knowledge. He reads the papers from cover to cover and always has a book on the go. "His hobbies have included learning things like Japanese and Chinese.

"He is just amazingly well-informed. He deserves this and I was really delighted."

Mrs Wilcox said: "He is very charming and very modest.

"He won't do anything foolish with this money. He won't let it go to his head."

The couple separated in 1996 and divorced two years ago. But they remain close and she lives in nearby Batheaston.

She said she heard the news from the couple's eldest son, Finn, who got a call in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Mrs Wilcox said: "He loves quizzes. He's been doing them for years and has appeared on Brain of Britain, Fifteen to One and Countdown.

#Mr Wilcox was beaten by taxi driver Fred Housego in the 1980 Mastermind final.

He also appeared in series 15 and 16 of Channel 4's Fifteen To One, as well as Brain Of Britain and Countdown.