Pensioner’s humble dreams for $133k win bring radio host to tears during live show

Hits Radio UK's popular show, Cash Register, has transformed several lives by giving away life-altering cash prices. A heartwarming incident unfolded when John Elkington, a retired man, won the Cash Register prize of about $130,000. His emotional story touched millions when he told DJ Hattie Pearson he'd use the money to buy a gravestone for his late wife, Anita, whom he lost six years ago. The video, shared by Hits Radio's official Instagram page, (@hitsradiouk) took the internet by storm. 

When DJ Pearson asked why Elkington hadn’t been able to buy a gravestone for his wife, he explained that as a pensioner, saving up was difficult due to rising costs. Elkington also shared that he visits his wife’s grave every week, bringing fresh flowers. Pearson, deeply moved, told Elkington that he would soon have "good news" to share with his late wife during his next visit to her grave as he'd won the prize amount of about $130,000. "You will be able to get her the gravestone that she (Elkington's late wife) deserves," Pearson added. 

A jubilant and deeply emotional Elkington was overwhelmed with delightful surprise as he said, "I need five minutes before I can go anywhere. My legs are shaking. I am shaking everywhere. Do you know, I have never, ever won anything. Well, I say I have never won anything but I have won the love of a lovely lady." Moved by Elkington's sweet words for his late wife, Pearson said, "You have made me a bit emotional, John."

"It's made me emotional. Absolutely fantastic. Thank you so so much. You don't know what it means," were Elkington's concluding words on the show. The comments section was filled with heartfelt reactions, with many deeply moved by Elkington’s enduring and selfless love for his late wife, even after her passing.

@kelliejbiggs wrote, "This was so emotional, it made me cry, was so so pleased for him." @russell_84xx commented, "This was so emotional. I am so happy he won and is now able to buy a beautiful headstone for his wife." @hosseinhanifii commented, "True love never expires. It is always fresh and heartwarming, it doesn't have an expiration date and you will always find hundreds of reasons to remember it. True love is the most precious gift of god. This video got me goosebumps, appreciate for sharing it." @samlopoth commented, "Beautiful, no one deserves it more! Well done sir, your wife will be so proud." @christianfulton3 hailed Elkington as a much-deserved winner and wrote, "John was a very well-deserving winner." @stesmissus who heard Elkington share his story live on the radio show wrote, "Ahh! I remember listening to this live when it happened. He had me properly choked up on the way home."

A similar incident highlighting the love between partners unfolded when TikTok user @madmnc shared a touching video of her terminally ill father, who made a special effort to express his love for his wife on his last Christmas. She shared the beautiful moment that her parents shared on Christmas day and captioned it, "Thinking of my dad's last Christmas ever on earth when he took off his oxygen and danced with my mom because it was what she missed the most when he got sick." 

You can follow Hits Radio (@hitsradiouk) on Instagram for more such heartwarming videos.