Omaze £2.5m mansion winner to flog home after win – however needs hol in it first
A bloke has hit the jackpot, winning a jaw-dropping £2.5m home in a prize draw – but he already has plans to flog the huge mansion.
Chris Milnes, 60, bagged the 5,000 sqft new-build property after secretly entering the Omaze Million Pound House Draw without his wife and kids knowing. He and his missus Jules, 56, have been living in Pudsey, West Yorks, for seven years – the same place that Pudsey Bear, the mascot of Omaze’s charity partner BBC Children in Need, is named after.
Now, Chris plans to flog the luxury pad near Poole, in Dorset, to become a multi-millionaire and give his children “the start in life I never had”.
READ MORE: Top 20 worst UK places to live revealed as AI claims one is ‘unattractively busy’
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star
(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
The overjoyed father-of-three, who also pocketed a cash prize of £100,000, said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever own a multi-million-pound house. I spent much of my childhood living in a council flat in Leeds – things like this don’t happen to people like me!
“When I got the call from Omaze to say I’d won something I thought wow, a couple of grand would go down a treat at the minute – I never imagined that I might’ve won a house worth more than a couple of million, it’s crazy!
“It was a massive surprise to me, but an even bigger one for my wife as she had no idea I’d even entered. To say she was shocked is a bit of an understatement, she was utterly speechless.”
(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
Chris had recently discussed downsizing with his wife, Jules, but following their enormous windfall, they can now put their financial worries to bed. However, he has big plans for a “massive holiday” at the three-tiered family home before listing it on the property market later this year. The gaff boasts a majestic open-plan living room with a standout feature fireplace wall.
The decked-out kitchen comes complete with a spacious central island, snug banquet seating and breakfast table, offering gorgeous garden views through floor-to-ceiling glass doors – which lead onto a hardwood deck outside.
Not to be outdone, the master bedroom suite features an eye-catching central headboard, a walk-in dressing room, and feels like stepping into a spa with its standalone bath. The modern dwelling even includes three more lavish bedrooms, each sporting built-in furniture and vibrant-coloured shower rooms, as well as a plush cinema room. The impressive rainforest-themed garden comes kitted out with a hot tub and outdoor shower.
(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
Despite his stroke of luck, Chris shared that he isn’t rushing to quit his day job immediately, and that Jules, who has been his wife for 23 years, also plans to continue working. However, the athletically inclined father stated he would dedicate time to pump up his tennis skills once he retires. He revealed: “I’m not going to retire immediately.
“When I emailed my boss to tell him the news – he called me straightaway to double check I was staying on to finish our latest project. I think he was just as relieved as he was very happy for me!
(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
Chris has two children from a previous marriage, a son Ollie, 29, who lives in Australia and a daughter Lucy, 28, – as well as Esm , 23, who he shares with Jules. And he said he would help their kids get on the property ladder before the couple bought a new home together in Yorkshire.
The stunning property comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. If Chris chose to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could fetch a long-term rental value between £5,000 to £6,000 per month.
The town of Poole, known as a playground for millionaires, is just eight miles away and offers further shopping, entertainment and recreational facilities.
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, expressed: “Everyone at Omaze is thrilled that Chris has won this stunning house in Dorset, whilst also contributing to the £3,150,000 raised for the iconic BBC Children in Need. It’s going to make a huge difference to his entire family which is just wonderful.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
