Cancer victim loses £10k Bet on survival

Jon Matthews, 59, was diagnosed with mesothelioma - a cancer linked to asbestos - in 2006.

But the widower from Buckinghamshire refused to accept doctors' prognosis that he would be dead within months, and decided to bet against it.

He placed a £100 bet with 50/1 odds with bookmakers William Hill that he would stay alive until June 2008 and won £5,000.

He also netted a further £5,000 after winning a similar bet in 2009. For his last bet Mr Matthews staked £100 at greater odds of 100/1 that he would survive until June 1, 2010. This would have netted him £10,000, but he has died, missing out on his final jackpot.


/Sky News/