Canadian TV hosts Sophie Lui and Squire Barnes were stunned to discover sports anchor Barry Deley had won the jackpot prize. Photo / Youtube
Canadian TV hosts Sophie Lui and Squire Barnes were stunned to discover sports anchor Barry Deley had won the jackpot prize. Photo / Youtube
An incredible moment was captured on live television when two news anchors realised the name on the winning ticket for a $2 million lottery was that of their colleague.
Global BC hosts Sophie Lui and Squire Barnes were stunned to discover sports anchor Barry Deley had won the jackpot prize as they presented their Monday morning show from Vancouver.
Barnes then phoned his friend live on air to tell the new millionaire what had happened, to which a delighted Deley replied: 'You know people are going to think this is kind of fishy don't you?'
He now has the choice of $2m in cash or one of four properties in the area worth up to $2.5m after winning the BC Children's Hopsital Dream Lottery, which is drawn live on Global BC each year.
Barnes revealed that Deley had been a regular benefactor to the Children's Hospital ever since doctors there helped his 11-year-old daughter overcome leukemia in 2004.
The amazing coincidence - Deley had a 1 in 288,000 chance of winning - happened on Halloween morning and it was not immediately clear the station's sports anchor was the name on the ticket.
Arran Henn, the station's substitute weather anchor, was conducting the draw, which was made by an accountant from the firm administering the prizes.
After being handed the ticket, Geoff Parkin, from BC Children's Hospital reads out: 'That's Barry Delaney of Port Moody, BC.'
Henn adds, apparently unaware a colleague has just scooped the huge windfall: 'Congratulations Barry, we're going to give you a call right now.'
When the shot cuts back to the news anchors, Lui asks: 'Barry Delaney? Not Barry Deley?'
'No, actually let's take one more look,' Henn replies and reads out a mispronunciation of Deley's name.
When the surname is eventually spelled out along with his residence, Barnes declares: 'That's Barry! Seriously.'
Barnes then calls his co-worker as Lui says: 'Is he allowed to win?'
'Hey Barry, I'm live on the air. They just drew a name for that house lottery - Barry Deley, in Port Moody,' Barnes tells Deley. 'I'm not kidding. This is weird.'
After producers put Deley on loudspeaker he says: 'I'm buying groceries at the superstore. You know people are going to think this is kind of fishy don't you? Choice: Deley can pick from one of four properties worth up to £2.5m or take $2m in cash
'Are you serious? You know I had a dream about this, but it never comes true.
'Wow, I'm making 20 per cent of what Roberto Luongo's making this year.'
Barnes tells viewers Deley thought he had phoned to ask what shifts he was working. 'Instead I'm telling him he's won a house,' the news anchor says.
Barnes adds: 'Shall I start looking for a new sportscaster?'
'Perhaps maybe I'll see you after Christmas,' Deley replies.
Somewhat sourly, Barnes says: 'Here's the stupidest thing, just so everybody knows. Every week we have a big pool, we buy a lottery ticket. Everyone in the sport department is in except for Barry.
'He refuses to participate. So instead he goes and wins a house. I think we won 10 bucks once and he wins a house.'
In an interview with his employers later that day, Deley explains that 'we always try to support the lottery' after his daughter Eden was diagnosed with leukemia seven years ago.
'Children's Hospital has just been a huge part of our life because they saved her life. We're forever grateful.'
Sitting with Eden, his wife Katie and his other daughter Angelise, Deley says: 'Squire's a bit of a jokester so you don't believe what comes out of his mouth the first time anyway.'
The couple, who also have a baby boy Barry Joseph, remained tight-lipped on which prize they would pick.
