https://www.sharecast.com/news/press-round-up-short-premium/friday-newspaper-round-up-buzzfeed-office-return-nsi--8012144.html
National Savings & Investments has abandoned moves to stop sending Premium Bond prizes by cheque after opposition from thousands of customers. The Treasury-backed bank has scrapped an earlier plan to force bondholders to register their bank details in order to receive prizes into their bank accounts. Its customers have been receiving prizes by cheque since 1964. - The Times
(also available at other sources)
Personally, I couldn't wait for PB prizes to be paid direct into my bank account.
I can see that some people may prefer cheques.