I'D not seen John Sexton for 33 years -- until he appeared on WWTBAM on Monday and walked away a quarter of a million richer. Lucky sod.

I knew the East Yorkshire racing correspondent when he was a junior reporter on the Leigh Journal and I was a junior on the other local weekly.

We had nothing then -- and I've still got nothing now!

The Astley born journalist was the second racing correspondent to scoop a big win on the show. The first took £500,000, but had John not been such a disciplined gambler he could have matched the total. It must be something to do with a steady nerve.

Big John eased his way to his new fortune and lifelong security after knowing the heights of stars in fastest finger first, having to recite the nursery rhyme Polly Put the Kettle On, asking the audience on a pop question and calling his mum to help on a drinks content question.

"Love you mum" he told 80-year-old Doris as she assured him her answer was 100 per cent right for the £125,000 question. How sweet. That showed what a lovely man he is.

He got the £250,000 easily, then for the £million question hummed and aaaghed about who was Prime Minister when women got the vote.

Why me? was the plaintiff cry. This is harder than picking horses.

Although he was 80 per cent certain of the answer John decided not to be too greedy and take the brass.

He must have some nerve to stand that pressure, but as a tipster who puts his money where his mouth is, he's probably more used to it than we ordinary beings.

Well done my son.

How about a few bob?

John can be thankful he wasn't in the same position as Michelle Simmons who became only the third person to leave with nothing after being a total embarrassment on Saturday.

Her only consolation is that she had her 15 minutes of fame. But what an awful way to become well known -- by being thick.

It's hard to dump the chip pans...