A “born and bred Penrith” man won £40,000 on ITV’s newest quiz show.
Nik Cooper, 41, beat off stiff competition on Gary Lineker’s gameshow Sitting on a Fortune to take home the cash prize.
“I can’t even really describe how it felt,” said Nik. “I just couldn’t believe it. The best moment was when I turned around and saw my family all cheering. That was probably more special than winning even.
“I couldn’t sleep for about three days afterwards. I just kept replaying the whole show in my head as I lay in bed.”
In the new quiz, players vie to get to the front seat — AKA the money chair — to be in with a chance of winning a slice of the jackpot.
As the show progressed Nik’s position changed dramatically and on a couple of occasions he thought it was all over.
At one point Nik was forced to the back of the queue with a wrong answer and said he felt pretty dejected and resigned himself to a loss.
But a succession of wrong answers from other contestants pushed him right back into the fray again.
“At that moment the relief was immense,” he added.
On the last question, Nik said he was undecided on his answer right up until the final moment and that the pressure of the studio environment kept him second guessing himself.
Finally, with his head in his hands, he answered. Nik said it felt like hours passed before the answer was revealed but when he heard the correct answer noise he leapt to his feet in celebration.
Nik said he will spend the money visiting his sister and her family in Brisbane, Australia.
He has two nieces that he is regularly in contact with virtually but has not spend more than a handful of hours with over the years so, the trip will be an opportunity to build some family bonds.
He was joined in the studio by family members including his wife Rebecca, brother Lee, who owns Greenwheart Café in Penrith, and his mother who also lives locally.
Nik has applied to a number of TV quiz shows over the years.
“I’ve always enjoyed quizzes,” he said. “I’m not saying I’m an Egghead or anything like that but I’ll regularly watch.”
In the past he has had auditions for The Wheel with Michael McIntyre and was selected for The Weakest Link just before it was cancelled.
Before he entered the studio, Nik was put through an extensive audition process. From questionnaires about his job, hobbies and family; to on-the-spot quizzes and zoom sessions, he was put through his paces.
Nik thinks the producers eventually chose him due to his side-line business of DJing under the moniker Mixmaster C.
Dressing up in a tracksuit and wig he plays 80s and 90s music to audiences across the North West, which also made him feel more comfortable in front of the large live studio audience.
Nik recommends anyone who is thinking about applying to do so.
“It was a great day but it absolutely flew by.”
He added that it wasn’t hard to keep a secret between filming and the air date as if he spoke out the producers could take his winnings away.
The show – Episode 4 – is available to view online at www.itv.com/hub/sitting-on-a-fortune
