Articles by Adam Cailler

Technology

Bloke bags £4m Omaze home and claims 'it's like something Tony Stark would have built'

An NHS paramedic has bagged the keys to a massive home with £4 million – alongside £250,000 in cash –and compared it to something out of a Marvel film. Alistair Walker, 33, is the newest winner of the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Surrey – and now stands as the delighted owner of a stunning four-bedroom property nestled within two acres of manicured gardens, featuring a heated outdoor pool, gymnasium, and cutting-edge renewable technology throughout. Alistair, who purchased his £4 million winning ticket for merely £25 through his monthly Omaze subscription, encountered his wife Naomi, 32, an A&E nurse with ten years' experience, whilst both were employed by the NHS in Surrey. The pair have been an item for seven years, relocating north to Darlington in 2020, where Naomi's relatives reside, and have occupied their present residence for two years. They share two daughters aged four years and five months. His lavish property arrives mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal costs taken care of - plus £160,000 worth of furnishings included. Alistair has additionally received a staggering £250,000 in cash to assist his family's transition – and may choose to either inhabit the house, let it out for additional income or sell it at any point to become a cash multi-millionaire. Should Alistair opt to retain the breathtaking property, the £250,000 prize would allow him to maintain the house for numerous years to come. Alternatively, if he decides to let it out, local property experts reckon the mansion could command a long-term rental income of approximately £15,000 monthly. Discovering his windfall on Halloween added an extra layer of bewilderment to the experience, as Alistair explained: "It was actually Halloween when I found out I'd won. So when I got the knock at the door, I was just expecting to see a couple of little Draculas and Frankensteins asking for sweets – but I soon realised this wasn't a trick and it was actually me who would be getting the best treat ever!". "As a paramedic, I'm pretty good at keeping calm in high-pressure situations – but finding out I'd just won a £4 million mansion completely floored me. "It was just me at home as the girls had gone out trick-or-treating with my wife, so I didn't have anyone there to double-check I wasn't just imagining the whole thing – to say it was surreal would be a massive understatement!". Reflecting on his extraordinary new home, he remarked: "The house is absolutely spectacular in real life – it's beyond anything we could've imagined. It looks like something Tony Stark would build! I'll have to check if there's an Iron Man suit in the wardrobe. I love tech, so this smart home with all the gadgets, is definitely my cup of tea. "I'm originally from Surrey, so I know the area well and have really fond memories of growing up there. Surrey is such a lovely area – and this is such an amazing house. "I met my wife for the first time just up the road in Guildford when we were working together – the synchronicity of this win is crazy – it feels like it must be fate. "We've just had our second baby daughter, so this win has come at the perfect time. It's the best feeling in the world knowing our daughters' futures are secure – it's absolutely incredible. Alistair's spectacular new residence showcases cutting-edge 21st-century design, crafted to flood the property with daylight whilst providing generous, opulent living spaces. The innovative inverted layout positions the open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area on the top floor – featuring Poggenpohl units, a statement island, balcony deck, and panoramic vistas across the gardens and Hunters Hill beyond. On the ground level, four substantial bedrooms await, three boasting en-suite facilities – including a master suite with its own private patio, walk-in wardrobe and premium bathroom. The property also encompasses a fitness room, family washroom, separate office, laundry area, and internal elevator. At the heart of the home sits a custom-built atrium and stairway drawing inspiration from Romano-British architecture. Wall-to-wall windows lead straight onto manicured grounds, featuring a heated outdoor swimming pool, sheltered al fresco dining area and fully-kitted outdoor culinary space with BeefEater barbecue, basin and refrigerator – ideal for summer gatherings. This contemporary dwelling comes equipped with state-of-the-art technology, incorporating ground source heating systems, solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall storage unit. Additional features include a comprehensive Loxone intelligent home management system, climate control, and flawless connectivity throughout every room, all manageable via smartphone. Nestled within the historic hamlet of Farley Green, the estate is enveloped by protected countryside and ancient woodlands. The Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Yorkshire – in aid of Refuge – is now live at omaze.co.uk. One fortunate participant stands to win a £4.5 million rural haven in North Yorkshire, boasting plush interiors, stunning landscapes and an additional £500,000 in cash. The Grand Prize Draw will close for online entries on Sunday 23rd November 2025, and for postal entries on Tuesday 25th November 2025. Besides the Grand Prize, those who enter by Midnight on Sunday 9th November 2025 (or by post by Tuesday 11th November 2025) could also bag an amazing Early Bird Prize: a Range Rover HSE valued at over £100,000, plus £100,000 in cash, making a combined prize worth over £200,000. Participants can also opt for best-value bundles and automatic entry into every monthly House, Early Bird and Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw. For complete terms and conditions, visit omaze.co.uk. Entry does not require a purchase. Only UK residents aged 18 and over are eligible. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .

Technology

Pizza Hut downfall from iconic all-you-can-eat buffet, Prem sponsorship and closures

The death knell for Pizza Hut in the UK has been sounded – sort of. The one-time most popular pizza chain the UK is now set to shut 68 stores and several takeaway branches after the company responsible for its UK venues fell into administration. Around 1,200 staff will leave, with DC London Pie, the firm operating Pizza Hut's UK dine-in restaurants under a franchise agreement, appointing administrators from corporate finance firm FTI on Monday. But how has the one-great chain of pizzas famous for it's all-you-can-eat buffet hit such a low point? The Daily Star has done some digging . . . Pizza Hut's entry into the UK was a straightforward case of international expansion by the popular American arm of pizza chain – as detailed in a docu-series called Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts. The global success of the brand, founded in Kansas in 1958, prompted the decision to open stores across the Atlantic. The first ever UK Pizza Hut restaurant was opened in Islington, London, in 1973, marking the brand's official arrival in Britain and introducing the British public to their American-style pizzas. It proved to be a hit, and was bought by PepsiCo in 1977, before joining forces with Whitbread – which at one point owned Costa Coffee. They were opening one new store every week in the UK – peaking at 700 in 2006 – with the now-iconic all-you-can-eat buffet playing a huge part in that. The brand even became the main shirt sponsor for Premier League side Fulham in 2001, and had a sponsorship deal with rivals Chelsea at the same time . . . a ballsy move. The “hut” as it was known, was the go-to place for families, thanks to the buffet and its famous ice cream bar – but seemingly no longer. Like most of the UK, the cost-of-living crisis, the pandemic and the general state of . . . well, everything has played a role in the downfall. And although the mass closures have caught many off guard, despite the overcrowded restaurant market with rivals like Domino's, Pizza Express and more doing well, one expert has claimed that this should be a “bitter slice of reality” for the UK's high street. Dariusz Karpowicz, Director at Albion Financial Advice said: “Pizza Hut's dine-in collapse serves up a bitter slice of reality for Britain's struggling high street. When even household names can't keep the lights on, you know the casual dining sector is in serious trouble. “The numbers tell the story: soaring energy costs, rising employment expenses, and families treating restaurant meals as luxuries rather than regular treats. Delivery apps have eaten into traditional dine-in profits whilst post-pandemic consumer habits remain firmly changed. “This isn't just about one pizza chain going under, though. It's hundreds of local jobs vanishing and more empty shopfronts joining Britain's hollowed-out high streets. The government needs a genuine long-term strategy, not election-winning soundbites.” Well, 1,200 staff are at risk and 68 branches are closing. This leaves around 60 other branches still functioning but under a new owner – a far cry from the 700 it once had. The buffer will continue, the iconic brand name will remain on the streets, but one does have to wonder just how long the British public will continue to flock to the brand, especially as rival names are seemingly becoming more and more popular and takeaway options are just an app click away. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .