HE was just one correct answer away from winning £100,000 – but instead millions of TV viewers watched in horror as Southampton’s Olly Lewin blew a TV show’s biggest jackpot by stumbling on the final question.

Despite an amazing run of 19 right answers on the National Lottery’s In It To Win It, Olly, 32, left with just a consolation hug from host Dale Winton after incorrectly guessing the year that John Lennon, Bruce Lee and Richard Pryor were born.

Today the design manager from Bitterne says he has come to terms with the epic loss witnessed by BBC 1’s prime time audience on Saturday night, which was actually filmed three months ago.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Olly said he was originally entered by his wife Vicki, 33, and when he beat thousands of applicants for the game show, the couple thought it would be a great way to raise cash for a new kitchen.

“I never once thought I would get up to £100,000. I thought maybe I would win around £20,000 if I was lucky,” he said.

The show has five contestants which often sees a new player selected to carry on answering questions the moment someone makes a mistake, which can lead to contestants sharing any final prize.

But as Olly kept getting answers correct, he found himself facing the show’s biggest possible jackpot for an individual winner.

“I don’t know what happened. I was sat there alone for half an hour before the final question and found myself mentally starting to spend the money.

“There was so much pressure at the end and I think I just panicked.”

After choosing 1945 as his answer from a choice of 1935 and 1940, Olly said he quickly realised he had made a mistake before the correct answer – 1940 – was revealed.

“I knew before they told me that I had got it wrong but you can’t change your answer,” he said.

“Afterwards there was a lot of shock. It’s hard to describe it but it almost felt like a bereavement. It was pretty tough for a week after.”

Olly, who works for Hampshire based computer games retail giant Game, was watched by a studio audience of around 200 people including Vicki and his mum Maggie who were sat on a balcony behind him.

“The worst thing is that Vicki is from Liverpool and knows everything about the Beatles. I really wanted to turn round in my seat to look at her but I knew I couldn’t.”

Despite his costly blunder Olly said there was no tension between the couple, who met as teenagers at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh and have a two-year-old daughter Isabel.

“It was an experience that we all went through together, so it wasn’t like she was angry with me or anything,” he said.

Following the broadcast on Saturday night Olly said he has been overwhelmed by the support of people who saw the show.

“We got a lot of second glances the next day when we were out shopping, one lady even followed us around WestQuay before coming up and asking if it was us. Another person said her family watched it together and her daughter was in tears after.

“A few people stopped and said they thought I did amazing. It’s quite nice that they think that – but I still don’t have my new kitchen,” he added.