Musician Mat Elliott really hit a high note after scooping the first prize up for grabs in the world’s richest treasure hunt.
Bass player Mat, 44, was celebrating after he was announced as the winner of the first round of the global challenge in which players are competing to win a $1 million dollar grand prize.
Mat told how he was ‘overjoyed’ after pocketing $10,000 in the Riyadh Season Treasure Hunt.
He said he could barely believe his luck when organisers announced his win on X, formerly Twitter.
He said: ‘It’s incredible. Initially I thought it wasn’t real.
Mat Elliott, a musician from London, was announced as the winner of the first round of the global challenge in which players are competing to win a $1 million dollar grand prize
‘They sent me an email last Sunday which I completely missed and it wasn’t until a couple of days later when someone in the UK got in touch that I found out.
‘I didn’t believe it and thought it might be a scam before I had a look at Twitter and there it was.
‘I then went back and found the email. It was one of about 10,000 I hadn’t replied to and hadn’t looked at.
‘My reaction was kind of shock and disbelief. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to me.
‘It’s all been a little bit of a blur to be honest.’
Mat’s prize is the first announced from a further $600,000 (£475,000) in weekly prizes being offered during the contest as well as the jackpot of $1 million (£800,000).
A staggering $1m is up for grabs in a global challenge, the world’s richest treasure hunt
The treasure hunt, described as ‘a thrilling journey of intellect, wit and exploration’ involves people from around the world attempting to complete a series of more than 30 puzzles and challenges.
Players taking part in the unique contest have been seeking out hidden clues and cracking codes as they navigate a virtual AR world set around the capital of Saudi Arabia. The treasure hunt is still open and there are more prizes to be won through the app.
Mat, from Crayford, south east London, told how he is performing in Riyadh in a production of the hit musical Phantom of the Opera.
He began taking part in the contest after downloading the competition’s app while looking for something to do during the day before his evening shows.
Mat said: ‘It doesn’t make it any easier being in Riyadh. You can play anywhere in the world but I’m only playing for three hours a day and discovering stuff that was happening has been part of the experience for me.
‘I saw the announcement about the Treasure Hunt app. I enjoy doing puzzles and was quite keen to have a go.
‘I completed the first round in about two and a half hours. There were five or six tasks to complete.
‘You had to work your way through a maze and there was a bit of sleuthing through social media to get QR codes and find some clues.
Players taking part in the Riyadh Season Treasure hunt have been seeking out hidden clues and cracking codes as they navigate a virtual AR world set around the capital of Saudi Arabia
‘I was really enjoying it and I didn’t feel like I was putting in a lot of time and effort.
‘The puzzles are definitely getting more difficult as you go through the competition but that’s part of the challenge.
‘You can join in at any time and now that I’ve won everyone I know is just addicted to this app.’
Mat told how he hasn’t yet decided how to spend his windfall but said his wife Sara, a fellow performer who is working on a cruise ship, may have some ideas of her own.
He said: ‘Her response was ‘What are we going to spend that on then?’. ‘She was very excited. It’s great. We’ll see what happens when I get home.
‘I’m definitely going to enjoy the rest of my time while I’m out in Riyadh.’
Mat, took up the bass aged 13 and went on to study at the Royal College of Music and Trinity College in London before graduating in 2003.
He has performed in a number of West End musicals including a production of 9 to 5 starring American actor David Hasselhoff.
Mat travelled out to Saudi Arabia in October for the production at the Riyadh Arena.
He said: ‘It’s the first time Phantom has ever been played in Saudi Arabia and it’s the first time I’ve been here.
‘I don’t really know what I was expecting when we were coming out here but it’s been brilliant. The show has been incredibly well received and the audiences that have come have really enjoyed it.’
The production features as part of this year’s Riyadh Season, a massive winter festival which takes place across 12 zones.
The Riyadh season – a festival packed with concerts, art, culture and multiple sports which runs well into the New Year all across the Saudi capital – saw Tyson Fury fight Francis Ngannou fought Tyson Fury as part of
The festival is hosting a star-studded series of entertainment and cultural events including concerts, sporting contests and exhibitions.
The Treasure Hunt, which is also one of the highlights of the festival, sees players compete online using their smartphones over eight rounds and a digital finale.
Those that progress will have an opportunity to qualify for the live Grand Final.
In January, 10 finalists will fly out to Saudi Arabia where ‘one final test of skill, logic and determination’ awaits them – before one winner emerges victorious.
And Mat told how he is hoping to be among them.
He said: ‘I’m working my way through the puzzles. I’m now on the fourth round so I’m hoping to go all the way – that would be incredible.’
Organisers said: ‘The various stages involved in the Treasure Hunt combine virtual and actual reality, setting participants a range of challenges to overcome, which involve finding clues, solving puzzles and testing knowledge.
‘Whether you’re aiming for the grand prize or simply looking to enjoy the journey, this unique competition offers something for everyone.’
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