Retired IT Analyst Wins Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Can You Answer the 15 Questions?

In a landmark moment for British television, retired IT analyst Roman Dubowski has become the seventh contestant—and only the second during Jeremy Clarkson’s tenure as host—to win the £1 million jackpot on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. The victory, which aired on April 26, 2026, marks a rare triumph in the show’s 28-year history, where only a handful of contestants have ever claimed the top prize. Dubowski’s win not only cements his place in television history but also reignites public fascination with the enduring quiz show, which has tested the knowledge and nerve of contestants since its 1998 debut.

From Near-Disaster to Historic Victory

Dubowski’s journey to the £1 million prize was far from smooth. Early in the game, he faced an unexpected stumbling block at the £1,000 question—a seemingly simple query about the key ingredient missing from mayonnaise. The question asked: What is mixed with vinegar, mustard, and oil to make a basic mayonnaise? The options included plain flour, salted butter, egg yolk, and double cream. Despite the question’s straightforward nature, Dubowski admitted to a moment of self-doubt, later telling ITV, I overthought it. I started doubting if mayonnaise already had egg, thanks to ‘egg mayonnaise sandwiches.’ His uncertainty led him to use his Ask the Audience lifeline prematurely, a decision he described as nearly resulting in shame and humiliation.

The near-miss at £1,000 could have ended his run, but Dubowski regrouped, demonstrating the resilience that would ultimately carry him to victory. His path to the hot seat was itself a testament to persistence: he had attempted to appear on the show three times over two decades, first during Chris Tarrant’s era and again in 2022, before finally securing his spot in 2026. Reflecting on the experience, he told the Irish Examiner, It didn’t feel like the real world, almost. This isn’t where I expected to be.

The Final Question and a Life-Changing Moment

Dubowski’s composure under pressure was on full display as he approached the final question. The £1 million query asked him to identify the brand of a well-known British ale, with the correct answer being Bass Ale. Recalling the moment, he said, As soon as I heard the question, I thought, ‘I think I know this.’ The relief and disbelief that followed were palpable. It felt unreal, he admitted. It didn’t sink in until later. His immediate reaction—a quintessentially British cup of tea—became one of the most relatable post-victory moments in the show’s history.

Jeremy Clarkson, the show’s host since 2018, played a subtle but pivotal role in Dubowski’s success. According to Dubowski, Clarkson offered a piece of advice early in the game that stuck with him: Use the 50/50 lifeline when you have an inkling that one or two of the answers are correct. That guidance, combined with Dubowski’s deep well of trivia knowledge, proved instrumental in navigating the show’s later stages.

The 15 Questions That Made History

Dubowski’s perfect run through all 15 questions has since become a point of fascination for fans and aspiring contestants alike. Below is the full list of questions he answered correctly, as verified by ITV and reported by multiple outlets, including the BBC and LADbible:

• £100: The planet Saturn famously has seven what?
  (Options: Rings / Necklaces / Bracelets / Anklets)
  Answer: Rings
• £200: At which of these locations is ice hockey traditionally played?
  (Options: Rink / Range / Court / Field)
  Answer: Rink
• £300: If you respond to an opponent’s attack with the same method, you are said to ‘fight…..’ what?
  (Options: Fire with fire / Smoke with smoke / Embers with embers / Cinders with cinders)
  Answer: Fire with fire
• £500: What is the name of the famous mansion in Memphis that was Elvis Presley’s home from 1957 to 1977?
  (Options: Paisley Park / Graceland / The Troubadour / Dollywood)
  Answer: Graceland
• £1,000: What is mixed with vinegar, mustard, and oil to make a basic mayonnaise?
  (Options: Plain flour / Salted butter / Egg yolk / Double cream)
  Answer: Egg yolk
• £2,000: Which of these is a type of pasta?
  (Options: Gnocchi / Gorgonzola / Gazpacho / Guacamole)
  Answer: Gnocchi
• £4,000: In the UK, what is the traditional filling for a Cornish pasty?
  (Options: Beef and vegetables / Chicken and mushrooms / Lamb and mint / Pork and apple)
  Answer: Beef and vegetables
• £8,000: Which of these is a character in the Harry Potter series?
  (Options: Luna Lovegood / Bella Swan / Katniss Everdeen / Tris Prior)
  Answer: Luna Lovegood
• £16,000: The phrase ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici’ is attributed to which historical figure?
  (Options: Julius Caesar / Alexander the Great / Napoleon Bonaparte / Genghis Khan)
  Answer: Julius Caesar
• £32,000: Which of these is a type of cloud?
  (Options: Cirrus / Cirque / Circus / Circuit)
  Answer: Cirrus
• £64,000: In which country would you find the ancient city of Petra?
  (Options: Jordan / Egypt / Israel / Saudi Arabia)
  Answer: Jordan
• £125,000: Which of these composers wrote the Moonlight Sonata?
  (Options: Ludwig van Beethoven / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Johann Sebastian Bach / Franz Schubert)
  Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• £250,000: The chemical symbol ‘Na’ represents which element?
  (Options: Sodium / Nitrogen / Nickel / Neon)
  Answer: Sodium
• £500,000: Which of these actors played James Bond in the film GoldenEye?
  (Options: Pierce Brosnan / Roger Moore / Timothy Dalton / Daniel Craig)
  Answer: Pierce Brosnan
• £1,000,000: Which of these is a well-known brand of British ale?
  (Options: Bass / Guinness / Heineken / Stella Artois)
  Answer: Bass

Plans for the Prize Money

With his £1 million winnings, Dubowski has clear plans for the future. In interviews with the Irish Examiner and ITV, he revealed that he intends to purchase a new house, a goal that reflects the practical aspirations of many who dream of such a windfall. Beyond property, he also expressed a desire to travel, naming New Zealand and South America as destinations he hopes to visit. His measured approach to the prize money—prioritizing stability and experiences over extravagance—has resonated with audiences, many of whom have praised his grounded response to sudden wealth.

Dubowski’s victory arrives at a time when Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. The show, which has seen multiple iterations and hosts since its inception, has maintained its status as a cultural touchstone, thanks in part to Clarkson’s charismatic hosting style. Dubowski’s win is only the second during Clarkson’s tenure, following Donald Fear’s victory in 2020. The rarity of such wins—only seven in the show’s history—underscores the difficulty of the challenge and the exceptional nature of Dubowski’s achievement.

A Legacy of Trivia and Tenacity

For Dubowski, the journey to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? was one of persistence. His initial attempts to appear on the show, dating back to the Chris Tarrant era, were unsuccessful, and even his 2022 audition did not secure him a spot in the hot seat. His eventual victory is a testament to his dedication to trivia, a passion he cultivated over years of practice and study. In an era where quiz shows and trivia-based entertainment continue to captivate audiences, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring contestants and a reminder of the enduring appeal of knowledge-based competition.

As Dubowski settles into his newfound status as a millionaire and a piece of British television history, his win also highlights the unpredictable nature of the show itself. The £1,000 question that nearly derailed his run—a query about mayonnaise—has since become a talking point, illustrating how even the simplest questions can become formidable under pressure. For fans of the show, Dubowski’s victory is not just a celebration of his knowledge but a reaffirmation of the drama, tension, and joy that Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? continues to deliver.

With his name now etched alongside the show’s other rare winners, Roman Dubowski’s story is far from over. Whether he chooses to invest in his future, explore the world, or simply enjoy the comforts of a well-earned cup of tea, his journey from retired IT analyst to millionaire quiz champion will remain a defining moment in the annals of British entertainment.