11:51pm UK, Saturday April 24, 2004

Quiz expert Pat Gibson scooped top prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? after reaching the £1m question with two lifelines still intact.

Pat celebrating his win with show host Chris Tarrant

Viewers saw the 42-year-old computer programmer hit the jackpot after using his 50/50 and phone a friend options.

Presenter Chris Tarrant said: "Pat was an incredible contestant. We've never had someone get to the million pound question with two lifelines remaining before.

"He really knows his stuff. I'm delighted for him and his family."

Gibson had reached £250,000 in a previous programme and the first one he tackled was for £500,000, which he answered with ease.

To win the £1 million, Gibson was asked which of four meetings was not one of the American Triple Crown horses races?

The father-of-two from Wigan, who is a member of three quiz leagues in the north west, knew the answer was Arlington Million.

But he used his 50/50 lifeline then called friend Mark Kerr, who came up with the same answer.

Gibson had previously helped Kerr win £250,000 on the same show.

Celebrating his win with wife Shelagh, he said: "When I came back with £250,000 and two lifelines, I decided that whatever happened I wasn't going to take any risks.

"When I saw the million pound question I knew the answer was Arlington Million but the stakes are so high at that stage of the game that it would have been foolish not to have used the lifelines."

He now plans to spend some of his prize money on children Elizabeth, 10, and Noah, six.