Chris Hughes, the beloved Eggheads quizzer who died last year, has generously left behind a fortune of nearly £200,000.
Mr Hughes passed away on January 29, 2025 at the age of 77, and the newly released Grant of Probate has revealed the television personality's final wishes, with approximately a quarter of his estate directed towards charitable organisations.
Mr Hughes, who became a household name through his two-decade stint on the popular BBC quiz show, had a gross estate valued at £199,997, with a net worth of £195,385.
In his will, which the quizzing expert drafted in 2015, he divided substantial sums among several worthy causes, whilst also providing for his family.
Chris Hughes' will has been revealed
|BBC
His final wishes included a request for cremation.
Prior to achieving fame on the small screen, Mr Hughes earned his living as a train driver before transitioning to a quizzing career.
The Crewe-born quiz star first appeared on Eggheads in 2003, going on to become one of the programme's most recognisable faces.
His television appearances extended beyond the popular quiz format, with Mr Hughes also showcasing his formidable general knowledge on both Mastermind and The Weakest Link.
Chris Hughes died last year
|BBC
Throughout his 20-year career on Eggheads, he established himself as a firm favourite among viewers.
His journey from the railways to the television studio proved to be an enduring success story in British quiz show history.
The bulk of Mr Hughes's estate, totalling £145,385, was bequeathed to his cousin Thelma Symons.
The remainder was distributed among four charitable organisations close to the quizzer's heart.
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Chris Hughes starred in Eggheads from 2003
|BBC
Cancer Research UK received the largest single charitable donation of £20,000 from the late television star.
Three further organisations each benefited from £10,000 gifts: the British Red Cross, Samaritans, and Médecins Sans Frontières.
The Grant of Probate document, registered before the High Court of Justice, confirmed the full details of Christopher John Hughes's last will and testament.
Following his death, the official Eggheads social media account paid tribute to the much-loved quizzer.
Chris Hughes starred in Eggheads for two decades
|BBC
"It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Eggheads great Chris Hughes," the statement read.
The tribute continued: "Chris joined the show in 2003 and over the next 20 years gave us not only brilliant answers but very many laughs and happy memories."
The programme's team expressed their deep sense of loss, adding: "He will be hugely missed by all his Eggheads family."