A retired gardener has achieved something remarkably rare on ITV’s Tipping Point, becoming only the second contestant in the show’s history to win the coveted double jackpot.
Tom, 69, from Lincolnshire, stunned himself and the studio audience when he managed to tip over a double jackpot token during the final round, turning the standard £10,000 jackpot into an impressive £20,000 prize.
As the winning moment arrived, Tom threw his hands into the air and exclaimed: “That’s wonderful.”
Host Ben Shephard praised Tom for the way he had performed throughout the game, telling him he had been “dominating” the earlier rounds.
He then reminded Tom just how unusual his achievement was.
“It’s only ever been won once by Clive,” Shephard said. “You are joining a very elite group.”
Tom celebrating after winning the show’s double jackpot of £20,000.
Tom Had His Eyes on Australia
Tom had originally planned to use any winnings to help fund a family trip to Perth, Australia, where his second cousin was due to get married.
But coronavirus-related international travel restrictions meant the family was unable to make the journey.
Instead, Tom decided to divide his £20,000 winnings between himself, his wife and their two daughters.
Speaking after his victory, the retired gardener said he was grateful for his family, including his wife, two daughters and two young grandchildren.
He explained that travelling to Australia had been his original plan, but with the trip no longer possible, he simply chose to “split the winnings four ways.”
Tipping Point presenter Ben Shephard celebrating after contestant Tom won the show’s double jackpot of £20,000.
A Strong Start Helped Tom Reach the Final
Tom had begun the competition strongly, knocking eight counters from the machine during his first round and managing to collect a valuable doubling counter along the way.
He eventually fought off competition from three other contestants to reach the final and put himself in contention for the jackpot.
Tipping Point, which has aired since 2012, combines general-knowledge questions with an enormous arcade-style coin-pusher machine.
Contestants answer questions to earn counters, which they then drop into the machine in the hope of pushing more counters over the edge.
Only the eventual winner takes home money, making every successful drop crucial.
Tipping Point presenter Ben Shephard celebrating with contestant Tom, who the show’s double jackpot of £20,000.
“I Often Need to Pinch Myself”
Tom revealed that he and his wife had been longtime fans of the programme, and it was actually his wife who “dared” him to apply.
He admitted that nerves made it difficult to sleep before filming.
“I’d not slept the previous evening but the coffee did a great job in keeping my eyes open,” he joked.
Despite the nerves, Tom said the experience was unforgettable.
“It was a great day though I often need to pinch myself to remind me it wasn’t all just a dream.”
Looking back at his opening round, Tom admitted that he initially feared he could be eliminated early after another contestant quickly passed a question to him.
“The first round questions are comparatively straightforward but when one of the contestants quickly passed to me, I thought I may well be first out, as the machine often isn’t generous in the early stages,” he recalled.
But then the counters began to fall.
“So when a few counters dropped – including a double – I knew I was in with a chance of progressing.”
By the time he reached the final, Tom knew he had an opportunity to achieve something extraordinary.
“To win a jackpot is every contestant’s dream,” he said. “But the double jackpot was unbelievable.”
And with £20,000 secured, Tom had plenty of reason to celebrate — even if his original Australian holiday plans had to change.