Seve’s on the money with voters (From St Helens Star)

Million Pound Drop winner Seve Gomez-Aspron’s on the money with Newton voters

7:00pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

A NEWLY-elected councillor, who recently won £100,000 on a game show with his best friend, reckons he was more nervous waiting for his votes to come in than appearing on TV.

Seve Gomez-Aspron, a 26-year-old chemistry teacher from Newton, deposed Suzanne Knight in the local elections by 104 votes.

In December, Seve featured in the Star alongside friend Craig Ward, after appearing on Channel 4’s The Million Pound Drop, presented by Davina McCall.

Seve said: “People still recognise me and offer their congratulations. There have been a lot of well wishers.

“I’m trying to spend the money, but I’ve been sensible – although I do need a new house.

“I’ve never been mithered by so many people at school. But I tell them I’m still tight, and they’re not having any money.”

A Newton lad through and through, he credits his exotic name to his Spanish heritage. His grandfather moved to Newton from Seville a number of years ago, before eventually heading back to the sunshine.

And it was through his family that his passion for politics was encouraged: “I have always been interested.

“It was instilled into me that if you don’t vote, you can’t say anything about what happens.

“The reason I got into politics was seeing what was going on around me. I didn’t feel as if Newton was getting represented in the town hall.

“The Lib Dems bashed the idea of Parkside from the very start, even though it could create thousands of jobs.

“I just thought I could do a better job. All respect to Suzanne Knight, but now we have a different generation and it mixes things up a bit.”

Seve, who attended Newton Community High School, is one of a clutch of young Labour councillors elected earlier this month.