A BANK worker has given up deals for meals after a big TV quiz show win.

Mortgage adviser Steve Woodward, 29, won £200,000 with his friend Tony Grant, 27, when they appeared on Channel 4’s the Million Pound Drop in October.

The father-of-one, who welcomed son Jack into the world in January, has used his share of the winnings to buy Taste Cafe, in West Avenue, Clacton.

Mr Woodward, of Crome Road, Clacton, said: “I wanted to do something positive with the money, rather than squander it on a car or something like that.

“I’ve come away from mortgage advice and working in banks and I wanted to work in Clacton instead of travelling up and down the A12 corridor.

“This shop came up and I loved it straight away. I had looked at fish-and-chip shops first, but didn’t find any I thought suitable.”

Mr Woodward and Mr Grant won the money on the show, hosted by Davina McCall, by guessing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is older than the Mona Lisa.

Since the show they have both become fathers, and Mr Woodward experienced a degree of celebrity – for a few weeks at least.

He said: “There were a few people when I went shopping in the supermarket who would recognise me at first.

“It’s dropped off massively now though, and if anyone does remember me from the show, they don’t tell me.”

The new cafe owner admits he does not have a lot of experience in the catering trade, but has the support of his wife, Sarah, to help make the business work.

He said: “She helps run the business, but she’s off work at the moment looking after Jack.

“She still bakes the cakes and does the chilli and other home cooking, as well keeping an eye on the books.”

Mr Woodward plans to extend the cafe by opening the middle floor to customers.

He added: “I’m going to keep most things the same as I want to keep the customers we have got.”