Hot Seat winner reflects on ‘surreal’ win

Paul Saitta on 'Millionaire Hot Seat'. (Supplied)

Michaela Meade

South Morang resident Paul Saitta is still celebrating his “surreal” win on ‘Millionaire Hot Seat’ last night.

Mr Saitta appeared on last night’s episode of the Channel 9 quiz game, and walked away with $20,000.

He said it was a strange experience being in the studio.

“You watch it on TV so many times, and play along at home and it’s easy,” he said.

“But then you get in there and your brain doesn’t want to work.

“It was very enjoyable, though.

“I got some questions wrong at the start, and I really put pressure on myself after that.

“I had one question I had to get right for the prize money… and I got it.”

Mr Saitta said he thought the crew were joking when he won.

“I was looking for a clown to come out,” he said.

Mr Saitta’s family had to be kept in the dark about his winnings until the episode aired, he said.

“I kept it a secret from most of my family, and then had some family and friends come over for pizza,” he said.

“We all watched it… it was as exciting as winning on the day.”

Mr Saitta is planning to use his winnings to go travelling, pending COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“We’re definitely looking at getting back to Hawaii,” he said.

“We’ll see what happens in the new year.

“Other than that, we want to renovate.”