It’s back to the future for local man Declan after winning DeLorean car and £70k

Declan Halfpenny, 49, from Craigavon, was at home when BOTB’s Christian Williams called to tell him the good news that he was this week’s winner and had scooped the iconic DeLorean DMC-12.

The car comes with gullwing doors, brushed stainless steel exterior and a rear-mounted engine - but no flux capacitor!

Declan said: “Surely everyone wants to own a DeLorean? Especially me, the original was made 20 minutes down the road from where I live.”

He added: “I love the Back to the Future films, they’re classics - as is this car. I can’t believe it!

“I’ll definitely be the talk of the car park wherever I go.

“And I’m expecting a lot of people to want pictures with it - I would if I saw someone driving it!”

But the surprise wasn’t finished there - Declan also won £70,000 in cash as part of the competition.

“Oh wow,” he said. “That is certainly going to help me out this Christmas!”

BOTB was founded by William Hindmarsh in 1999 and has given away more than £34m worth of prizes, including supercars, cash and holidays.

Christian, who surprises the BOTB winners each week, said: “Massive congratulations to Declan, he’s played for an absolutely amazing car and while we can’t promise any time travelling antics for him, I’m sure he’ll enjoy his new addition.”

The company, listed on the stock market, hands over the keys to two stunning cars each week as well as a ‘lifestyle’ prize. Recent winners have bagged a quad bike, a holiday to the Arctic and £15,000 in cash.

The company uses former professional footballers to judge the competition independently each week, alongside current and former referees.

BOTB first opened at Heathrow Airport in 1999. It clocked up its 500th winner in 2019 and many winners continue to play, convinced they have the Midas touch.

About 9,000 DeLoreans were made at Dunmurry, near Belfast, before production halted in late December 1982 shortly after DMC DeLorean filed for bankruptcy.

The DeLorean continues to have a cult following driven in part by the popularity of the Back to the Future movies.

An estimated 6,500 DeLoreans are still on the road.