Overview

• ITV aired the episode on 27 August showing McCarthy’s victory, a month after the 64-year-old retired headteacher died following a long illness.
• After earning £1,000 in the cash builder, he accepted a £95,000 offer and, with teammate Lorcán Thorpe’s £5,000, shared a £100,000 jackpot after edging Jenny Ryan in the final.
• Because of confidentiality rules, only his wife Rachel and their three children knew the outcome before broadcast.
• Friends, family and neighbours packed The Colliers pub in Tyldesley to watch the episode and share tributes, with Lorcán later calling McCarthy his hero.
• McCarthy’s family said his health declined before the payout could be enjoyed, and coverage highlighted his 42-year education career, including leadership at Stockport Academy and founding Aurora Academies Trust.