A pub has launched a petition to help Who Wants to be a Millionaire? winner Colin Hallett get his cash.

Regulars at the Sherlock Holmes in Station Road, Westcliff, are to campaign on behalf of Mr Hallett, 46, who has had his £125,000 winnings frozen while programme maker Celador carries out an investigation into his past.

Action was taken after Celador was tipped off that the window cleaner from Shoebury has a conviction for theft which is not spent -- no longer legally recorded.

Under programme rules anyone with a live conviction is not allowed to appear on the popular ITV show.

Now landlady Leslie Dawson is urging drinkers to get behind Mr Hallett who regularly attends the pub on Thursday quiz nights.

Lesley, 54, said: "Colin is a lovely man. We feel he should be given his winnings and that is why we are launching a petition to back him. He comes in here regularly for our quizzes and often wins.

"But Colin has not been his usual self recently and the stress is really getting to him. Last week he came nowhere in the quiz."

Lesley, who runs the pub with partner Tony Horta, said Mr Hallett, of Saxon Gardens, was breathalysed by police after telling them that he had drunk three pints.

She added: "What he didn't tell them was that he had only drunk Coke.

"He is a kind man and on the evening his win was televised Colin was out in Gunners Park helping out with a charity fireworks event.

"This has been the first time things have got good for him and now it looks as though he will not get the money."

The former shopkeeper greeted news of the campaign with a broad smile and popped along to see Lesley and Tony at the pub for a drop of his favourite tipple -- Coke.

Mr Hallett said: "I am delighted Lesley and Tony are supporting me. They are very nice people and I enjoy visiting their pub for quiz evenings.

"I remember the breathalyser incident well. The police didn't ask me what I had been drinking -- just how much. You should have seen the confused look on their faces when nothing registered and I told them I had only drunk Coke!

"I am still waiting to hear from the police about my previous convictions and until then I remain in limbo. I still can't have money."

Published Monday December 17, 2001