Paddy,
I fail to see the point of your question. However, since you ask it, yes I did; there has been no other way to become a commercial pilot since Hamble closed, to my knowledge. Sponsorship deals are usually deferred loans at no-or-low interest. I paid for mine with 12 years' service to my Country, which gave me, among other things, some invaluable flying experience, followed by a significant 5-figure sum of my own money for exams, IR, etc.
But I still don't see the point of your question.
BTW, notice the lower-case 'f'; I'm just a little fokker, you see.