Too Clever to Make a Will of Testament?

Quiz-winners cash prize is handed to the Government.

Winnings from a TV quiz are set to be handed over to the Government after a search for the winner's relatives drew a blank. Colin Hallett, 52, of Delaware Road, Shoebury, won the money on the ITV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in November, 2001. However, programme makers Celador froze the money after it was revealed Mr Hallett had an undisclosed criminal record, which was contrary to the game's rules. The window cleaner had been jailed for two years in 1990 for arson. This was later deemed to be spent as it had happened more than five years earlier. A later fine for failing to pay for petrol remained a matter of dispute between Mr Hallett and Celador, but he eventually got his money. He celebrated by shedding more than three stone and taking a holiday to Cape Town, South Africa. He died of natural causes in April last year having spent very little of his winnings. Treasury solicitors, who advertised for his next of kin to come forward, have been unable to find a legal heir. Fraser and Fraser, a firm of international probate detectives took up the chase, but this week announced the case had gone cold and as there were no living relatives left, the money will now go to the Government. The Treasury receives around £25million a year in unclaimed estates. Erin Woodward, spokeswoman for Fraser & Fraser, said: "Colin had been barred from the Victoria Inn in Ashingdon pub quiz, because he was deemed too clever. "Unfortunately he was not clever enough to make a will."