Million Dollar Fish 2024 winner Keegan Payne apologizes for the chair buggy

A teenager who became an instant millionaire this week after winning an elusive fishing competition has made a stunning admission on live TV.

Keegan Payne, 19, from Katherine in the Northern Territory made national headlines on Monday after hooking a barramundi worth $1 million on Sunday morning.

However, on Wednesday morning, during a live interview with Sky News‘ Peter Stefanovic, questions turned to a dark chapter of the teenager’s past.

“There is a claim online that you stole a Polaris Ranger and Polaris quad that you and your friends stole and damaged from a business a few years back, first of all, is that true?” Stefanovic asked.

Mr Payne responded, “Yes”.

“So, what happened?,” Stefanovic continued.

Mr Payne, seemingly remorseful, added he and his friends “weren’t thinking at the time”.

“(We were) still young at that age,” he said.

Mr Payne said he regretted the act “big time”.

As for whether or not the newly-minted millionaire would pay for his damages against the business – he instead apologized to its owner.

“Bob Cavanagh, (the business owner) I’ve finally done it, I’m richer,” he said.

“Sorry about your buggy, and I wish I could pay you back.

“I’m very sorry. Sorry for you and your wife and your business.”

The teen caught the 67cm barramundi which had been tagged as part of a nine-year-long Million Dollar Fish angling competition, in the Katherine River, 317km south of Darwin, while on a fishing trip with his family.

“This is crazy for us. We’re a big family. There’s eight of us. This is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great,” Mr Payne said of the win on Tuesday.

“It means so much. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I’m happy, really happy.

“I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans.”

And Mr Payne landed the fish just in time with this season of the fishing competition ending at midnight Tuesday.