Market Harborough Man Wins £500,000 on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

A quiz enthusiast from Market Harborough is celebrating after winning £500,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

Andrew Fanko took home the second-highest prize on last night’s episode of the ITV game show, after narrowly missing out on the £1 million jackpot.

Andrew Fanko on last night’s show. Pic: ITV

The translator, who lives in Market Harborough with his wife Frankie and six-year-old daughter Jemima, sailed through the first 14 questions before stumbling on the final question involving an EGOT winner — someone who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.

Faced with the options of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cher, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bette Midler, Mr Fanko admitted he was unsure. Although he was leaning towards Lin-Manuel Miranda, he chose to walk away with £500,000 — a decision that proved wise, as the correct answer was Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Despite missing out on the top prize, Andrew said he had “no regrets” and described the winnings as “life-changing”, particularly amid concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on translation work.

He and his wife, who are both keen quizzers, first bonded over pub quizzes and both work as translators.

Andrew on last night’s show, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson Pic: ITV

The family now plans to use some of the money for a cruise to the Norwegian fjords, a trip to Disneyland in California for their daughter, and a rose gold Fiat Cinquecento, so Frankie has a car to use when he goes to watch Liverpool FC play.

Andrew has previously appeared on quiz shows including Mastermind, Eggheads and Brain of Britain.

He said appearing on Millionaire was “third time lucky” after applying for the show on three separate occasions.