A QUIZ show fan who was a winner on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? has died at his home.

Colin Hallett, 52, of Delaware Road, Shoebury, who won £125,000 in 2001, is believed to have died of natural causes on Good Friday.

Window cleaner Mr Hallett hit the headlines when he answered questions on the popular TV show and collected a cheque for £125,000.

But the colourful character's winnings were later frozen when quiz show bosses received a tip-off he had a theft conviction from April 1997, after driving off from a petrol station without paying for £5 in fuel.

Production company Celador's rules prohibits contestants entering the show if they have criminal convictions stillon file, but the company eventually relented and Mr Hallett was given the cash.

He celebrated by shedding more than three stone and taking a holiday to Cape Town, in South Africa.

Mr Hallett was a popular character in Shoebury and known for his vast general knowledge and love of quizzes, which saw him win prizes across south Essex.

His close friend, Colin Golby, 55, a street cleaner of Anson Chase, Shoebury, said: "He was a good friend - just like a brother to me. He would do anything for anybody, any time, any day of the year.

"He was the king of quizzes."

"He will not be forgotten."

A post mortem is being carried out into Mr Hallett's death.

For more information on funeral details, call 01702 298535.