Devon hairdresser reduced to tears after winning £25k cash prize mid-haircut

A hairdresser from Devon was left stunned after discovering she had won a £25,000 cash prize while in the middle of cutting a client's hair.

Diane Whiteley, from Plymouth, was busy at work when she received an unexpected video call from BOTB presenter Christian Williams, who had some exciting news to share.

As Christian revealed that she had won the £25,000 prize, her curious clients looked on before breaking into congratulations when they realised what had happened.

Overcome with emotion, Diane could barely believe the news.

"No way, that's nuts!" she said. "This is amazing.

Diane is a BOTB Pass member, meaning she is automatically entered into selected BOTB competitions, and said the prize has made the subscription more than worthwhile.

"I enter competitions, but never get lucky,” she said. “I watch BOTB videos and thought I'd get the Pass to see if my luck was in. And now it's paid off.

"You've made my year, and I'm over the moon.”

Diane, who has been a hairdresser for more than 30 years and runs her own salon, is celebrating her 54th birthday next month, making the unexpected windfall the perfect early birthday present.

Speaking a few days after the surprise, Diane said the win still hadn't sunk in.

"I'm still gobsmacked. It was such a lovely experience, especially being at work. We are a small team and we each had a client, and they were so excited for me.

"The cash just takes the pressure off. I work so hard to keep the doors open to my business and this gives me and my husband some breathing space and will help us to enjoy life a bit more."

Diane said she plans to use the money to create special memories with her family by taking them on a special holiday next year.

Christian said: "Catching Diane completely by surprise while she was in the middle of giving someone a haircut made this reveal even more special.

"You could tell just how much the prize meant to her and I'm sure she'll enjoy celebrating her amazing win."

Founded in 1999, BOTB has given away prizes to over 894,000 people, including £163m-worth of cars so far.

It is currently offering people the chance to win a stunning four-bedroom home in Winchester, two luxury cars and a £100,000 cash prize bundle in a competition costing just £1 to enter. 

To see Diane’s reaction alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com.