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£40,000 dream car and cash boost for redundant worker and his nurse wife

BOTB presenter Christian Williams breaks the news of their lucky win to Steven Hamilton and his wife Elaine
BOTB presenter Christian Williams breaks the news of their lucky win to Steven Hamilton and his wife Elaine BOTB presenter Christian Williams breaks the news of their lucky win to Steven Hamilton and his wife Elaine

A CARRICKFERGUS arcade installer who lost his job due to the coronavirus crisis, and whose wife is a front line health worker, has scooped a BMW M3 and £20,000 in cash in a UK-wide dream car competition.

Steven Hamilton (48) and his district nurse wife Elaine's names were plucked from the hat by Best of the Best (BOTB), a lifestyle competition company that has been operating in major UK airports since 1999 and which to date has given away £30 million worth of prizes.

Steven worked as an installer of pool tables and arcade games until the crisis hit and he was made unemployed at short notice.

He was stunned when he received a call yesterday from BOTB presenter Christian Williams to tell him he'd won the £20,000 BMW and another £20,000 in cash.

“I just couldn't believe it. It couldn't have come at a better time for us,” he said.

“It was devastating to lose my job, but it means some of our immediate financial worries have been lifted, and this it will be such a huge help.

“Elaine is a district nurse, out on the front line every day, and the last thing she needs is further worries like me being out of work throughout all of this.”

BOTB presenter Christian Williams surprises winners all over the world every week, although during coronavirus he contacts them over Facetime, rather than visiting winners on their doorsteps.

He said: “Steven has gone through a rough time, and Elaine is doing brilliant work in the NHS, so I’m thrilled to be able to deliver them this dream car as well as the cash, knowing what a difference it will make to their lives.”

Founded in 1999 by William Hindmarch and listed on the London stock market, BOTB has a high-profile stand at airports, although most people play online.