Roman Dubowski, a retired IT analyst, has become the seventh contestant to win the coveted £1 million jackpot on ITV’s ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ Reflecting on his impressive run, Roman shares key strategies for future contestants looking to emulate his success.
Throughout the game, Roman faced a wide array of questions—from the rings of Saturn to sea creatures and even the historical Black Death. He encountered a single stumbling block when trying to recall mayonnaise’s main ingredient, at which point he wisely turned to the audience for help.
Roman attributes much of his success to his preparation, particularly crediting the book A to Z of Everything: A Compendium of General Knowledge by Trevor Montague. “I have this book on my shelf, and it’s been a great resource,” he told The i newspaper.
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Equally important, Roman heeded advice from the show’s host, Jeremy Clarkson. “Before we started, Jeremy gave me some invaluable advice,” he revealed. Clarkson warned about the strategic use of the 50/50 lifeline: “He said he’s seen people misuse it—only use it if you have a gut feeling about the right answer. Don’t use it blindly or you’ll end up stuck with two options you don’t know.” Roman followed this advice carefully and employed the 50/50 lifeline on the final million-pound question with confidence because he was sure of the answer.
Despite some critics accusing Clarkson of being “unhelpful” when contestants use the Ask the Host lifeline, Roman praised the former Top Gear presenter’s role. He also shared his personal approach to the game, emphasizing calmness and deliberation: “One of my strategies was to stay calm and think things through slowly rather than rushing. I made sure to carefully consider every question, especially the last five.”
Roman’s journey to the hot seat wasn’t quick—he applied twice before he was finally selected to compete. Looking ahead, he plans to take on a new intellectual challenge by attempting BBC Radio 4’s Brain of Britain, having previously reached the semi-final stage.
Although he’s basking in his success, Roman remains active. “I have the final of our pub quiz league coming up, but I won’t be playing for money,” he shared.
Regarding his winnings, Roman has practical plans: “I’m not big on extravagance. I prefer spending on experiences like travel. I hope to visit South America or return to New Zealand.” The reality of the win only hit him after the show’s broadcast, as the prize money is received afterward. He is also considering investing in a new house with a driveway to avoid street parking.
Roman’s story is not just about luck but about preparation, strategy, and making the most of expert advice—elements that made all the difference on his road to winning £1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?