Barnet Housekeeper Wins £25,000 Jackpot
Ancuta Iliesi secured a significant cash prize in BOTB's Weekly Lifestyle Competition.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 24 June 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
Ancuta Iliesi, a 41-year-old housekeeper from Barnet, has won a £25,000 cash prize in BOTB’s Weekly Lifestyle Competition. The win was revealed to her during a surprise video call from BOTB presenter Christian Williams while she was on a break from work. Ms Iliesi expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing the news, stating it was the "best day" of her life.
Ms Iliesi, who is a member of BOTB's Pass scheme, which automatically enters her into selected competitions, was visibly emotional. She initially told her husband, who reportedly did not believe her at first. The prize money is earmarked for several purposes, including assisting loved ones, taking a holiday, and securing savings for the future. She mentioned helping her family in Romania and potentially visiting Italy.
About BOTB
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BOTB, established in 1999 and headquartered in Fulham, has a history of awarding substantial prizes. The company has distributed over £158 million in cars and cash to more than 677,000 individuals. Christian Williams, the presenter who informed Ms Iliesi of her win, commented on the special nature of surprise reveals and Ms Iliesi's overwhelmed reaction.
Questions this report answers
+How did Ancuta Iliesi find out she won the £25,000?
Ancuta Iliesi was told during a surprise video call from BOTB presenter Christian Williams while she was on a break from work. She described the moment as the best day of her life and said she was overwhelmed by the news.
+What does Ancuta Iliesi plan to do with her winnings?
She intends to use the £25,000 to help family in Romania, take a holiday, and save for the future. Ms Iliesi also mentioned the possibility of visiting Italy with the money.
+How long has BOTB been running competitions like this?
BOTB was established in 1999 and has awarded over £158 million in prizes to more than 677,000 people. The company specialises in surprise reveals and substantial cash prizes.
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