Bricklayer Blames Ant and Dec Show for Criminal Descent After Squandering £1 Million Win
A bricklayer who secured a £1 million jackpot on a television programme hosted by Ant and Dec has attributed his subsequent life of crime to the show. Nathan Hageman, aged 46 and hailing from Cumnock in Ayrshire, asserts that triumphing on an episode of Red or Black? in 2011 marked "the worst thing that ever happened to me". He alleges that family members and friends betrayed him following his financial windfall, engaging in what he describes as blackmail.
From Windfall to Wasteland: A Downward Spiral
After his appearance on the show, Hageman rapidly exhausted his winnings on an extravagant lifestyle, indulging in fast cars, luxury holidays, and expensive watches. This period of profligacy preceded a turn towards criminal activities, ranging from theft to harassment. However, it is crucial to note that his criminal history significantly predates his television fame. In 2006, Hageman was incarcerated for five years due to a domestic abuse conviction involving aggravated burglary and assault.
Following his release, he participated in and won the Red or Black? jackpot. Hageman confided to the Daily Record, "Winning that show was the worst thing that ever happened to me." He expressed frustration over media portrayals, claiming stories were exaggerated or fabricated, and he never had the opportunity to share his perspective or the profound impact on his life.
A Pattern of Offending and Allegations
Hageman now possesses 16 convictions encompassing 45 offences. His post-win allegations include being "blackmailed and threatened by people who knew me because they knew I had money," with claims extending to an ex-partner and friends who allegedly threatened both him and his mother. Despite these assertions, his criminal behaviour continued unabated.
Notable incidents include:
- In 2014, he received a four-month prison sentence for harassing a woman in her 30s, bombarding her with 400 threatening messages within 48 hours.
- In 2024, he was jailed for 12 weeks after stealing a handbag from a nurse at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and taking her vehicle with an associate.
- Most recently, he was convicted for threatening Jason Gallop, a friend who offered him plastering work. In menacing voice messages, Hageman issued graphic threats, including statements like, "I'm gonna finish you" and "If I've gotta stab you up in front of them, so be it." He is due for sentencing next month.
Additionally, weeks after these threats, Hageman was identified as a dine-and-dash scammer, allegedly failing to pay bills totalling £175 at two restaurants.
Production Awareness and Ongoing Consequences
Reports indicate that ITV was aware of Hageman's criminal record when he was invited onto Red or Black?, though not specifically that it involved domestic abuse. This context underscores the complexity of his claims against the programme. Hageman's life has been characterised by a cycle of incarceration and reoffending, with his lavish spending spree merely a brief interlude in a longstanding pattern of criminality.
His story serves as a stark reminder of the tumultuous effects sudden wealth can have, particularly on individuals with pre-existing vulnerabilities, though it also highlights personal accountability in the face of legal and moral transgressions.
