Takeaway driver wins £1.3m dream home in £1 prize draw
Driver wins £1.3m home, takes cash instead

A takeaway driver from Birmingham, burdened by financial hardship, has seen his life transformed after winning a stunning £1.3 million dream home in a competition he entered for just £1.

A Knock at the Door That Changed Everything

Khaja Syed, a father-of-two, had been facing a difficult year, weighed down by debt. He regularly entered online prize draws run by BOTB, hoping for a chance to win one of their luxury cars to ease his financial woes. His long-awaited miracle arrived on 13th November 2025, not with a winning letter, but with a film crew and BOTB presenter Christian Williams at his rented front door.

The surprise quickly turned to shock when Khaja discovered he hadn't won a car at all. Instead, he had scooped the company's top prize: a luxurious four-bedroom house located in the exclusive development of Saffron Walden. Overwhelmed with emotion, Khaja hugged the presenter, declaring, "You've just made my day, man."

The Life-Changing Decision: Property or Cash?

Later that day, Khaja and his family travelled to see their new property, a home surrounded by countryside yet close to major commuter links. However, after viewing the house, the family made a momentous decision. As with all BOTB winners, Khaja was given the choice between keeping the physical prize or taking a tax-free cash alternative of £1 million.

He decided the money would make a more significant impact on his family's life. "I think, honestly, after speaking to you guys, it's quite far from our place, and I think we should go for the cash," Khaja explained to Christian Williams. He added, "It'll be a life-changing moment for me, I can do it for my kids, give them what they want."

Planning a Brighter Future for His Family

Despite currently living in a rented house, the Syed family will not be moving into the Saffron Walden dream home. Instead, Khaja plans to use his £1 million winnings to start his own business and build a more secure and prosperous future for his children. This prize marks the most valuable asset ever given away by BOTB.

The company, best known for its dream car competitions, is currently running other draws, including a £695,000 luxury home in Devon and a £59,000 Mercedes AMG GT S supercar, with tickets available from just 7p.