This week in TV history: Australia's first million-dollar winner was crowned on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

On October 17 2005, Australian TV history was made when Rob "Coach" Fulton made quiz show dreams come true.

Fulton, a schoolteacher from Sydney, became the first Australian to win $1 million on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

It was a moment that left the nation on the edge of their seat.

Hosted by Eddie McGuire, the quiz show had seen plenty of close calls but Fulton became the first to go all the way – cracking the ultimate jackpot.

Fulton's road to victory wasn't without its nail-biting moments. After sailing through early questions with ease, he encountered several tricky obstacles. But it was the final, nerve-wracking question that sealed his fate in TV history.

Watch the incredible moment Fulton became Australia's first TV Millionaire in the video above.

The million-dollar question?

"Which of these popular 60s TV shows premiered first?"

He was given the options of Bewitched, Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes and I Dream Of Jeannie.

Fulton trusted his instincts and correctly answered "Bewitched" to take home the life-changing prize.

VOTE: Bewitched vs. I Dream of Jeannie - which do you prefer?

In his own words, Fulton described the experience as "surreal."

Speaking to Eddie after the show, he said, "It felt like a dream – I could hardly believe it when [he] told me I was right!"

The nation erupted in applause for the teacher, who said that his winnings would go towards securing his family's future and indulging in a well-deserved holiday.

Eddie McGuire, who hosted both Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and it's spin-off Millionaire Hot Seat since inception, was just as thrilled as the winner.

"This is the kind of moment we live for," McGuire said after the historic win. "Rob showed incredible composure under pressure. He's an inspiration to everyone who's ever sat in that Hot Seat."

READ MORE: Eddie McGuire announces that Millionaire Hot Seat will be going into hiatus at the end of January 2024

Rob Fulton's achievement was a landmark moment for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in Australia.

Nearly two decades later, his victory remains one of the most iconic moments in Aussie TV history. Since his monumental win, Fulton has largely stepped out of the spotlight, but in 2015 he spoke to 9News about how he spent the million dollar prize.

“I had intentions of investing, investing, investing,” he said. “But we did some silly things at the start.”

QUIZ: Test yourself in today's Tipping Point Australia Challenge - October 18 edition

Fulton admitted to regrettably “buying cars that were ridiculously expensive and unreliable” but also said he’d spent large amounts of money on rewarding experiences.

“We went on a round-the-world trip,” he said. “You can’t always do the smart thing, you have to have some fun.”

If given a second chance he did admit he’d like to do things a little differently.

“If I could get in the time machine I’d like to invest in Apple stock,” he joked. “If I’d saved more of the money I suppose I could be playing golf every day.”

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