Lucky father-of-two scoops £2m Omaze five-bed cottage in Devon (and reveals he nearly ignored phone call telling him he’d won because he thought it was spam!)

A lucky father-of-two who won a beautiful £2million Omaze cottage nearly missed out on his winnings because he thought the phone call telling him he had won was spam.

Simon Williams scooped the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, a beautifully renovated cottage in Devon. 

But the 41-year-old aircraft engineer nearly missed out on becoming a multi-millionaire after he thought about ignoring the phone call telling him he’d won – thinking it was spam. 

Mr Williams, who is originally from Kent and has two daughters aged 11 and 13, won thanks to a £25 per month subscription to prize draw and also bagged an additional £100,000 cash prize. 

The Omaze winner said: ‘I got a call at work from a number I didn’t recognise. I’d been getting nuisance spam calls all day trying to sell me something and was at my wits end so I nearly didn’t answer – but I’m very glad I decided to pick up now.

Lucky father-of-two Simon Williams, 41, has won a beautiful £2million Devon cottage and £100,000 in cash for just a £25 entry to an Omaze prize draw

Simon Williams, 41, won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, which was part of a campaign that raised £1.7million for Macmillan Cancer Support – the charity that supported his late father

The main house has five bedrooms – the main bedroom comprises ample in-built storage, a panelled rear wall, four large windows overlooking the gardens below and a spacious en suite shower room. The other four double bedrooms provide plenty of space for family and friends

Mr Williams, from Sussex, has won a five-bedroom property set amidst enchanting woodland bordering Dartmoor National Park

‘The only thing I’d ever won before this was a £200 Playstation, I’ll be dusting that off and setting it up in my new living room,’ Mr Williams said

The property in Devon has spacious and luxurious bathrooms with modern fittings

‘When I found out I’d actually won the house I was in sheer disbelief. I got home and opened a bottle of fizz to celebrate but could only manage one glass before I had to go to bed.

‘It was the most surreal evening of my life so I needed a lie down after all that. The only thing I’d ever won before this was a £200 Playstation, I’ll be dusting that off and setting it up in my new living room. I was meant to go out for dinner with friends that evening, but had to cancel at the last minute so I could meet the Omaze team and find out exactly what I’d won.

‘As much as I love my pals, it was well worth missing a Wagamamas to win a £2m house. I’ll make it up to them with a meal at my new house when they come and stay.’

Mr Williams’ stunning new five-bed cottage is set amidst enchanting woodland that borders Dartmoor National Park – featuring landscaped gardens, state-of-the-art appliances and an ‘exquisitely’ designed kitchen and dining area.

The property also features a separate two-bedroom guest house with an open-plan kitchen-dining area, shower room and comfortable living area. If rented out, local estate agents estimate that the property could raise a long term monthly rental value of almost £3,000 per month.

Mr Williams said: ‘I absolutely adore Devon, my late father used to bring me here for family holidays when I was a child, it’s such a beautiful county and it holds so many fond memories for me.

‘The house itself is unbelievable, even better in real life. I’m not sure what I’m going to do long-term yet – but I’m definitely bringing the family here for a holiday so we can all enjoy it.

‘Having my own place in Devon and being able to bring my family here, like my father did with me, is incredibly special, he’d have loved his place. My sister and I have been entering Omaze draws for a while and would always speak to each other after previous houses have been given away feeling jealous and wishing it had been one of us that had won – I can’t believe I actually have now.’

Mr Williams’ charming new home is the result of a tasteful renovation that has preserved the original features of the cottage, such as farmhouse beams and exposed brickwork, whilst incorporating modern architectural design elements that have expanded the property to perfectly complement the original cottage

A private driveway leads up to stunningly landscaped gardens, showcasing lush lawns and floral displays that surround the property, which is nestled in nature and seamlessly blends into the serene surroundings of Dartmoor National Park

The glazed doors open onto a garden stone paved courtyard – giving Mr Williams the option to host friends and family indoors or alfresco, to take in a Devon sunset on a warm summer’s evening 

‘When I found out I’d actually won the house I was in sheer disbelief, I got home and opened a bottle of fizz to celebrate but could only manage one glass before I had to go to bed, it was the most surreal evening of my life so I needed a lie down after all that!’

The Omaze Million Pound House Draw has also raised £1,700,000 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support – who supported Simon’s father during his own battle with cancer.

Mr Williams added: ‘I entered the draw because I absolutely loved the house and Devon – but also because Macmillan is such an incredible charity. I lost my father to cancer when I was in my early 20s, and they supported my father and us back then, so I know firsthand just how amazing the work they do is. I’m thrilled that this partnership with Omaze has raised so much money for them to continue helping families just like they helped mine.’

The money raised will help Macmillan Cancer Support to continue to support people and families living with cancer throughout their battle against the disease.

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘We are beyond thrilled that £1,700,000 has been raised by the Omaze Devon House Draw.

‘This extraordinary amount of money will mean we can provide support, through diagnosis and beyond, to so many more people living with cancer and their loved ones, just like the support Simon and his family received.

‘Cancer can impact a person’s life in many different ways and so, every single day, we are here to do whatever it takes to give people the help they need.

‘As a charity that relies almost entirely on public donations, we’re so thankful to the Omaze community for raising such an incredible amount of money.

‘The funds raised will have a huge impact on the lives of many people living with cancer.’

James Oakes from Omaze, said: ‘We’re thrilled that Simon has won this beautiful house in Devon, whilst also contributing to the £1,700,000 raised for Macmillan in the process – a charity that means so much to him and his family.

‘Omaze is a win-win for both charities and entrants. By offering incredible prizes, like this wonderful property in Devon, we give people the chance to win amazing houses, whilst also introducing charities to audiences they wouldn’t usually be able to reach.

‘We’re so proud that the Omaze community has raised over £20,000,000 for good causes across the UK.’