Doddinghurst fireman Jonathan Green is the toast of the town this week after becoming Britain's biggest gameshow winner.

Millions of viewers were glued to their TV screens on Saturday to watch the father-of-four scoop a staggering £250,000 on the Chris Tarrant show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Now his sensational win has made him an instant celebrity overnight.

Jubilant Jonathan, 50, won the money after using his last "lifeline" to ring a friend, who correctly told him that ants live in a formicary.

And he could have doubled his haul had he known that Anne of Cleves was the wife Henry VIII referred to as his Flanders Mare, but decided not to risk losing most of it.

"I was very lucky on the night," insisted modest Jonathan, adding "Any question is easy if you know the answer."

Jonathan lives in Lime Grove with second wife Nikki - who works part-time in Brentwood's Sainsbury's store - and children Oliver, two months, Ben, two, and 12-year-old stepson Stef, who attends Brentwood County High School.

He said: "I found it very nerve-wracking. For a normal guy like myself it is very hard to envisage any other way of getting that sort of money than by winning it. It is a hell of a lot of money."

"I've got a young family and I want to make sure their future is as secure as I can, so I don't want to go frittering it."

Jonathan has already agreed to divide up £50,000 between his "lifeline" friend and his two eldest sons, Alan, 22, and Paul, 28.

"It's going quickly," he joked. "I've only had it a few days and 20 per cent has gone already! I'm going to make sure the rest is invested wisely."

Under the rules of the show, he can apply to go on again in the next series, but says he feels it might be an anti-climax and does not want to risk making a fool of himself.

"I think I will rest on my laurels and rely on Lady Luck on the National Lottery instead," he laughed.

CELEBRATION: Jonathan Green and wife Nikki sip champagne.

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