BBC The Wheel star breaks down in tears as £106,000 hangs in balance in nail-biting moment

Lauren sobbed as she realised she had won a huge amount of money on The Wheel (Image: BBC)

Emotions were high in a nail-biting episode of The Wheel on BBC One this Saturday evening. One participant was moved to tears as she had a very important decision to make, which would either win or lose her a life-changing amount of £106,000.

Throughout the BBC programme, celebrities including Ed Gamble, Jonathan Ross, Liz Bonnin, the Rev Richard Coles, Jo Brand, Francis Bourgeois, and AJ Odudu all featured as expert panellists. Ultimately, a participant called Lauren found herself with just two categories remaining to select from in her bid to reach the final round. The final question was focused on the topic of opera music, with former I’m a Celeb star Reverend Richard Coles providing his assistance. Following her response, presenter Michael McIntyre asked her: “Have you cleared this wheel? Is there another £10,000 in the bank? Which would make this one of the biggest money games we’ve ever had.” Fortunately, her answer proved correct, and the 23-year-old was subsequently offered the chance to select one celebrity to assist with her final question, which would decide her potential winnings.

The cash prize is one of the biggest amounts ever won on the show (Image: BBC)

By choosing Ed, who topped the leaderboard, Lauren could bag herself a respectable £26,500. Alternatively, selecting AJ, positioned at the bottom, presented her with the opportunity to claim £106,000.

Lauren responded: “I’m shaking! I’m actually shaking!” Discussing her plans for the prize money, the contestant revealed she hoped to purchase a property with her partner, Harry, and provide her parents with their dream Venetian getaway.

She said: “I’d enjoy it really, it’d mean the world to my family, it really would. It’s just life-changing. I’m only 23, so yeah, fingers crossed. Whatever happens, happens.”

Ultimately, she selected AJ, meaning a single question would decide whether she would claim the enormous jackpot. As her celebrity adviser provided words of support, Lauren responded: “I can’t breathe!”

The contestant was then allocated 30 seconds to consider the question: What is the title of Aretha Franklin’s only UK No. 1 single to date? AJ informed Lauren she would need to trust her instincts, as each choice was a “banger”.

Despite the 23-year-old having initially considered I Say A Little Prayer, she altered her decision at the final moment. Selecting I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), Michael responded: “Not even discussed it? Where did that come from?”

She answered: “Dunno, just thinking, I’m scared.” Nevertheless, Michael disclosed that she had answered correctly, which caused the player to break down in tears. After leaping up to embrace Michael and AJ, she remarked, “I can’t breathe! I can’t believe this has just happened, honestly, I can’t.”

Speaking about her altered response, Lauren explained she followed her instincts. She added: “I can’t believe it! This is incredible.” Eventually, Lauren departed with £106,000 as she informed the BBC presenter that she “couldn’t speak” as it “felt surreal”.

She concluded: “I came on this just wanting to be on the show that I absolutely love watching, for the experience. Something to tick off my bucket list and meet people I would never, ever meet in person, so thank you all.”

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