Isle of Wight father-of-three wins new car and cash prize

Watch Paul's reaction to the good news below!

Paul Howard, a refrigeration engineer from Cowes, won a Land Rover Defender worth more than £57,000 in Best of the Best’s (BOTB) 48hr Lifestyle Competition.

The 50-year-old was left speechless when BOTB presenter, and former County Press columnist, Christian Williams video called him to surprise him with the news.

“To win this kind of prize is absolutely incredible,” he said.

“When Christian called me and told me the news, I was speechless and in utter disbelief.

“You don't think it’s going to happen to you, so when it does, there’s a lot to process.

“I had also got a cold, so my head was a bit all over the place, and I was trying to make sense of what I was hearing.”

But the surprise didn’t end there for Paul, as Christian also revealed he had won a £2,000 cash prize. 

The Land Rover Defender features an i4 Turbo engine, 296bhp and a top speed of 119mph.

BOTB host Christian Williams and Paul Howard with his winning Land Rover Defender (Image: BOTB) Despite being impressed with the look of the car, Paul said he was planning on taking the cash alternative. 

Paul said: “The cash is a better option for me and my family right now.

“We want to get a new drive for the house, and we would love to go on holiday. Mexico is our number one destination. 

“We went a few years ago when a couple of the kids were younger, but it would be nice to go back now that they’re older enough to really enjoy it.”

Christian said: “​​From the moment he found out he had won, you could see how happy he was from the big smile on his face.

“With a holiday planned to Mexico, I’m sure he and his family will have an epic time.”

BOTB is a dream car and prize giveaway website offering people the chance to win a holiday, cash, tech, cars and more in its Instant Wins Competition.

Founded by William Hindmarch in 1999, BOTB has given away £70m-worth of cars.