Premium bonds

I have just had the most extraordinary phone conversation.
My wife and I hold premium bonds,when she passed they insisted on probate which I obtained,sent and they accepted.
I was made the offer cash them in or let them run live for one year,I chose the live route.this month I checked hurray I had won £50 my wife £75,my £50 arrived in account,today I received a letter with 3 cheques for £25 each,puzzled I rang them,a snotty kid told me they don’t deposit deceased winnings into an account they send out warrants,I said that’s stupid,so if my wife’s bonds won say £5k total made up on each £25 bond you would send me 200 cheques he said absolutely,at that point I finished the call and took a walk around the garden.

Yes, I got probate through last week and just sent off form opting to leave them until next year. I looked online as I could see my husband won last month but nothing appeared in bank account. It says online that they send warrants once they receive Grant of Probate.
Daft, isn’t it?
I asked solicitor to do the probate thing and as soon as he saw premium bonds he said NS&I are notorious for demanding probate.