A man who spent £50,000 on 56 stag dos in 18 months because he ‘felt bad saying no’ is still paying off his credit card bill – but said it was ‘worth it for the memories’.
Will Stevenson, 43, started his epic run of stag dos when he filled in for someone who could not attend – and he was hooked.
In the first three months alone the car salesman, from Lincoln, went to 16 events.
Not only did he go to celebrate with friends, but he attended complete strangers’ events by hoovering up spare tickets for a cheap getaway.
Word got around that he would fill in for no shows, before he found himself in demand for trips all over the world, from Blackpool to Australia.
Will Stevenson, 43, (pictured) is still paying off his credit card debt after he attended 56 stag dos in 18 months
In the first three months alone the car salesman, from Lincoln, went to 16 events. Pictured: Mr Stevenson (front right) on one of the many dos
The father insisted the debt is ‘worth it’ for all the memories and friends he made
Mr Stevenson is now happily married to his wife Abigail (pictured), but is still paying off his debts
But although Mr Stevenson is now happily married and has a three-year-old daughter called Iris – and another baby on the way – he is still paying off credit cards years on because the partying set him back £50,000.
The father insisted the debt is ‘worth it’ for all the memories and friends he made.
Mr Stevenson has only been on a few stag dos in recent years – including three for himself.
‘When I proposed to my wife Abigail I told her I would stop doing stag dos apart from my own,’ he said.
‘That didn’t stick – I did go on a few more – but they’re not often any more.
‘I keep in touch with more or less all the friends I made though!’
His exploits began when he bid online for a place on a stranger’s stag do in June 2015, when one person dropped out, and he ended up in Budapest with 22 lads.
A BBC radio show picked up the story, after which he was inundated with requests from grooms wanting him to fill a vacant spot.
The couple have a three-year-old daughter, Iris (pictured), and another baby on the way
Mr Stevenson has only been on a few stag dos in recent years – including three for himself
Despite often going away not knowing any of the other members of the party, he said he made lifelong pals
Mr Stevenson visited too many countries to count, including Ibiza – his favourite – Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Amsterdam, as well as Sydney, Las Vegas and New York
He vowed to calm down a bit although it didn’t stop him having three stag dos of his own – in Blackpool, Brighton and Magaluf
Mr Stevenson visited too many countries to count, including Ibiza – his favourite – Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Amsterdam, as well as Sydney, Las Vegas and New York.
He said the experience set him back around £50,000 in total – including travel, food, drinks and accommodation.
Despite often going away not knowing any of the other members of the party, he said he made lifelong pals.
‘There was a time I was going to so many that I felt bad ever saying no,’ he said.
In 2016, his wild 18 months ground to a halt when he proposed to Abigail.
He vowed to calm down a bit although it didn’t stop him having three stag dos of his own – in Blackpool, Brighton and Magaluf.
Mr Stevenson and Abigail had daughter Iris in March 2020, and then married in August 2021, forcing him to tone it down for good, with a second baby due in February 2024.
He added: ‘It was always an adrenaline rush.
‘I did need about three months of not drinking after them all though.’
