Viewers left delighted after blind contestant on The Wheel wins £45k

‘I’ve never been happier with a winner!’: The Wheel viewers are moved to tears as a blind contestant wins £45,000 after correctly answering a question about art

The Wheel viewers were moved to tears following Saturday night’s show, after a blind contestant took home £45,000 for correctly answering a question about art. 

The contestant quickly became a fan-favourite throughout the evening with his cheeky sense of humour – making several jokes throughout the game about his own disability. 

The contestant, a student named Toby, told host Michael McIntyre that he was 96 per cent blind – meaning he could see lights but not make out any specific shapes or people.

Having successfully completed the rounds, Toby made it to the last question, where he turned to radio DJ Sara Cox to help answer.

‘Which of these artists has won the Turner Prize in the 21st century?’, host and comic Michael McIntyre read out.

Touching: The Wheel viewers were moved to tears following Saturday night’s show, after a blind contestant took home £45,000 for correctly answering a question about art

The four possible answers were: Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Anish Kapoor.

But uncertain, Toby relied on Sara for the answer, telling her: ‘It’s all on you this one,’ he told her. ‘Because I have no idea.’

‘Blind people don’t like art.’

‘I totally get it,’ Sara joked, before suggesting Grayson Perry as the answer to lock in.

Finding out his answer was correct, Toby appeared lost for words.

He then headed over to hug Sara and thank her for her help, vowing to listen to her on BBC Radio 2 every day.

The presenter then became visibly emotional and had to blink away tears.

Comedian Michael then pointed out the irony, praising Toby for how well he did.

Sweet: The contestant quickly became a fan-favourite throughout the evening with his cheeky sense of humour – making several jokes throughout the game about his own disability

Question: ‘Which of these artists has won the Turner Prize in the 21st century?’, host and comic Michael McIntyre read out

Touched: The presenter became visibly emotional and had to blink away tears after Toby won the prize money

‘I can’t believe you have come on this wheel, you are a blind man, you have been given a question on art to win the show, you have hilariously pointed out, during the question, not a big fan of art, never actually seen it!’

Toby then joked: ‘I tell you what, love art now! It’s my favourite.’

The winner was then asked by Michael to explain what he can actually see.

‘I am fully blind, or what we call fully blind,’ he shared.

‘There’s a spectrum so I’m 96% blind and I can see lights, so I can tell the studio lights are on, can’t see you (Michael), can’t see anyone around the wheel, so sorry if I was staring at you with weird eye contact. Not my fault.’

He added he was born visually impaired with a genetic condition, which got worse as he grew older, becoming fully blind aged 16, and now, everything he responds to is sound.

‘This is life-changing,’ he said of the prize money.

‘I’m so overwhelmed, honestly. I’m not an emotional person at all but I could cry. It’s hard to put into words.’ 

Taking to Twitter as the episode aired, fans were left delighted for the student.

One viewer said: ‘HE’S DONE IT!!!!! Toby has absolutely dominated tonight!!!! A well deserved £45k win!!!! #TheWheel’

‘Here Toby’s speech at the end of winning 45k on ‘The Wheel’ on BBC1 about being 96% blind since 16 years old has done me in! so happy for him #thewheel #getintoby’, another added.

A third said: ‘Don’t think I’ve ever been happier with a winner than I am with Toby #TheWheel’

A fourth added: ‘Wow #thewheel what a show. So pleased for that guy, tear in my eye. I’ve always liked @sarajcox and now I like her even more.’

Earlier in the show, Toby was tasked with answering a question about rugby, with YouTuber Chunkz as his expert.

Not knowing much about the sport, Chunkz said: ‘Never watched a game of rugby in my life, never played it…’

Before Toby responded in: ‘I’ve never watched anything, mate! So it’s all good’.

Not too shabby: Michael McIntyre is reportedly set to rake in an impressive £13million from his hit gameshow The Wheel as he takes it global (pictured on the BBC1 show)

It comes after it was revealed that Michael McIntyre is reportedly set to rake in an impressive £13million from his hit game show The Wheel as he takes it global.

The comedian co-owns the rights to the popular BBC One series which has featured celebs such as Gemma Collins, Maura Higgins and Prue Leith.

And now he’s launching the show in America through his production company Hungry McBear after NBC ordered 10 episodes.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Americans love an eccentric Brit, which is why they’ve lapped up the likes of Gordon Ramsay and James Corden.

‘But they also love a good gameshow with a simple concept – and The Wheel has the added bonus of being one of the Covid friendly shows because the set up socially distances everyone taking part.

‘As with other hit Brit exports, such as Who Wants to be A Millionaire? and Britain’s Got Talent, they’ll be taking it to lucrative new markets in Asia and across Europe.’

MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Michael’s representative for a comment.

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