Omaze: Father-of-two wins £4million Grade II listed six-bedroom home with its own lake

Malcolm Disson, 58, now owns a Grade II listed six-bedroom home with its own lake, tennis court and two-bedroom cottage.

The lucky father-of-two who grew up in London has won the Omaze Million Pound House Draw plus £250,000 in cash.

Malcolm says the only thing he can remember winning before was a goldfish at Hampstead Heath fair when he was 12.

He won it by bouncing ping pong balls into goldfish bowls but it was already dead when he opened the bag.

Two weeks ago, he won £8 on a lottery, so he thought his “luck was finally starting to turn”.

Malcolm's stunning new home in Little Ouseburn in Yorkshire comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered, as well as £155,000 worth of furnishings.

His winning entry cost £30 as part of his Omaze subscription.

Malcolm said: “I've never really thought of myself as a lucky person.

''For years, the only thing I'd ever won was a goldfish at Hampstead Heath fair.

''And when I opened the bag it was already dead! That set the tone for the next 46 years as I didn’t win a sausage after that.

“Then two weeks ago I won £8 on a lottery and thought my luck was finally changing. I thought I’d peaked with that.

''I certainly didn't expect to go all the way from a dead goldfish to a £4 million mansion with its own lake… full of fish that are alive and well!”

Malcolm has two daughters, Lilly, 22, and Daisy, 18.

Thirty-five years ago, he lived in a three-bedroom terraced house in Watford. He has lived in Newbury for the past 18 years and currently lives in a semi-detached house.

He has a border terrier called T-Bone.

Malcolm co-founded The British Shop, a specialist fine art and antiques packing and international shipping company based near Heathrow, in 2004.

He remortgaged his house to get it off the ground, but struggled to afford the payments for the first couple of years and says the risk almost ruined him.

Malcolm said: “I took a huge risk starting the business.

''I remortgaged my house and for the first couple of years I couldn't afford the payments. It almost ruined me, but I stuck with it.

“To go from a three-bed terrace in Watford to a £4 million house in Yorkshire in 35 years is just incredible. This feels like a reward for taking that risk and working so hard.”

On seeing his new home, he said: “I spend my working life shipping fine art and antiques for people with incredible houses.

''Never in a million years did I think I'd end up with a house fit for one of my clients, it feels very surreal.''

When the Omaze team went to surprise Malcolm, they initially visited his old address.

He had moved house but remained in the same village, and had forgotten to update his details.

On what the win means for his family, Malcolm said: “This win has transformed my daughters futures, it’s a wonderful feeling to know they’re going to be secure no matter what.

“It's taken any pressure off. I can think about relaxing a bit more and perhaps retiring earlier, but I love what I do and I don't think I'll ever stop working.”

A keen cook, Malcolm is planning to bring the family together at the house for Christmas.

Malcolm had never been to Yorkshire before visiting his new home. He has since enjoyed looking around York and is looking forward to trying the local pubs.

A friend has already nicknamed him the Earl of Tetley, in a joking nod to the tea brand founded in Yorkshire.

On settling in, he said: “I'd never been to Yorkshire before - what a way to visit for the first time, coming to your own £4 million house! I can't wait to try the local pubs, and beers!

“I had tennis lessons as a kid and played quite a bit around 40 years ago, so I'll have to dust off my backhand and work on my serve.

''I can't believe I've got a potting shed and a library too - I haven't had much time to read, but I’ll make time now. That’s what this win will give me, more time to spend with family and loved ones.”

As well as making Malcolm a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Yorkshire, raised money to support Blood Cancer UK.

Helen Rowntree, CEO at Blood Cancer UK, said: "We're incredibly grateful for Omaze's continued support of Blood Cancer UK and are blown-away by the £4.5 million we'll be receiving through our latest partnership.''

Matt Pohlson, Founder and CEO of Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Malcolm has won this incredible Yorkshire home, whilst also helping to raise vital funds for Blood Cancer UK.''

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds, supporting Cats Protection, are available now at omaze.co.uk.