Key Points
- Walsall nurse Marilou Zamora, 69, won a £60,000 BMW X3M in an online BOTB draw after buying a 20p ticket.
- She turned down the vehicle and took the tax-free cash alternative instead.
- She made the decision because she does not have a driving licence.
- Zamora, who lives in rented accommodation, plans to retire next year after 26 years in the NHS.
- She will put the money toward a house deposit and a trip to see relatives in the US.
WALSALL (Birmingham Express) September 18, 2026 — As reported by Kelly Ashmore of Birmingham Live, 69-year-old nurse Marilou Zamora experienced an “unbelievable” moment after winning a high-performance BMW X3M valued at £60,000 through an online BOTB competition for which she paid just 20p to enter. However, the mother-of-six turned down the luxury vehicle upon being presented with the prize, choosing instead to accept the full cash alternative because she does not hold a driving licence.
How Did the Surprise BOTB Win Unfold in Walsall?
As detailed by Kelly Ashmore of Birmingham Live, Mrs Zamora was preparing to travel from her home in Walsall to London for a midweek church service when BOTB presenter Nicole Jeffery made an unannounced visit to deliver the news. The nurse, who was accompanied by her husband, was escorted down her residential street to view the new vehicle.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, Mrs Zamora described being rendered “speechless” by the revelation. As reported by Kelly Ashmore of Birmingham Live, Mrs Zamora stated that:
“No words can express how I’m feeling. It’s unbelievable and I’m so happy and thankful. I was speechless at first and when I found out I had won, I thought I was going to wake up at some point. This is a life-changing amount of money and will help us get a mortgage on a new house.”
According to the reporting by Birmingham Live, Mrs Zamora originally moved to the United Kingdom from the Philippines and has served as a nurse in the UK healthcare sector for 26 years. She is scheduled to retire next year. Having entered the draw after spotting an advertisement on Facebook earlier this year, she adopted a “keep the faith” mindset when selecting the 20p ticket option, reasoning that there was “no harm in trying.”
Why Did the Winner Choose Cash Over a Luxury BMW?
As highlighted in the coverage by Kelly Ashmore of Birmingham Live, the core reason for Mrs Zamora rejecting the physical vehicle was purely practical: she has never obtained a driving licence.
Commenting on the unusual resolution to the giveaway, BOTB presenter Nicole Jeffery told Birmingham Live:
“It was such a special surprise for Marilou. You could immediately see how shocked and emotional she was when she realised what she had won. To win a BMW X3M for just 20p is incredible, and the fact that Marilou doesn’t even have a driving licence made the moment even more unexpected.”
Jeffery further noted to Kelly Ashmore of Birmingham Live that the cash alternative provided a meaningful alternative path for the couple, allowing them to focus on securing permanent housing and planning international travel.
“It was lovely to be there with Marilou and her husband and to hear what the prize could mean for them. Knowing that she could use the cash alternative towards buying her own home and also travelling to see family in America makes this a really meaningful win.”
Background of Best of the Best (BOTB) Competitions
Founded in 1991, Best of the Best plc (BOTB) operates weekly online skill and chance competitions across the United Kingdom. Initially operating physical display stands within major UK airports, the company transitioned entirely to an online digital model to expand its customer base.
Over its three-decade history, the competition operator has distributed prizes to more than one million winners, handing over £171 million worth of motor vehicles alongside lifestyle rewards, cash sums, and residential properties. Standard prize offerings regularly feature high-specification vehicles alongside an optional cash buyout calculated against the retail trade value of the featured prize vehicle.
Prediction: How Will This Prize Impact the Winner and the Competition Sector?
For Mrs Zamora and her immediate family, this outcome drastically alters her financial trajectory ahead of her planned retirement in 2027. Shifting from long-term rented accommodation to property ownership in the West Midlands removes significant living costs during retirement, while simultaneously providing the capital required for overseas travel to re-engage with relatives in the United States.
From an industry perspective, high-profile coverage of low-stake wins—specifically 20p ticket purchases yielding tens of thousands of pounds—typically accelerates consumer participation across online pay-to-enter competition platforms. As public attention focuses on non-drivers opting for cash conversions, operators like BOTB are likely to see sustained interest in alternative cash prizes, reinforcing the model as a practical alternative to traditional lotteries for individuals seeking housing security over luxury assets.
