Matt Myles, 38, from Hereford, won £1,000,000 on Apr 8, 2014. Matt visited Bali, Thailand, Brazil for the World Cup and Ibiza on an all-expenses paid holiday with 13 friends to celebrate his win. Now married to Stacey, 35, he and his brother run a successful property renovation business. He bought the land around his family’s converted chapel home to build a playground for one of his autistic sons.
Julie Jeffery, 63, from Watford, won £1,038,997 in Jun 2002. Only retiring last June after 25 years as a fire station cook, Julie and her husband Chris, 68, bought a holiday home before embarking on adventure holidays. Julie says: “When I realised on that fateful morning that I’d won, I had to go into work because the lads needed their breakfast.”
Sylvia Odolant-Smith, 47, from Essex, won £3,600,000 on Oct 24, 2019. With husband Gavin, 44, Sylvia quit her hectic catering job after her success. They renovated their home and are restoring a flat in Brittany. They want to refurbish more properties and rescue animals in need.
Brian Sharp, 63, from East Lothian, won £2,033,705 on Jun 19, 2010. Brian used to work night shifts as an electrician. He and wife Ann, 62, bought a five-bedroom home along the river they dreamt of living by as a young couple. Brian says: “Our aim is to see every Formula 1 Grand Prix; so far we’ve rubbed shoulders with Damon Hill and David Coulthard.”
Ben Lowther, 41, from Cambridge, won £1,000,000 in Oct 2021. Three days after his lottery scoop, father-of-three Ben lost his job – as did his neighbour with a young family. Ben says: “It was lovely that we were able to help them out financially as it was so close to Christmas.” With fiancée Holly, 31, he bought a four-bedroom home and his first suit – a £700 cashmere one – to propose to her in Paris.
Viv Moss, 73, from Cornwall, won £6,048,499 on Oct 3, 1998. Former hairstylist Viv bought an apartment overlooking her favourite bay in Newquay with her husband Kevin, who sadly died this year. Viv says: “I bodyboard in the surf whenever the weather allows.”
Gareth Bull, 53, from Notts, won £40,627,241 on Jan 20, 2012 (white shirt) After his huge win, Gareth built his own 6,000 square foot mansion complete with four bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom and separate staircase, an eightfoot projector screen and a swimming pool complete with a wave machine. Gareth says: “I started digging a pond but I kept going so I shaped it into an ‘L’ for lottery and turned it into a lake the size of two tennis courts. I also built a ‘Lottery Lodge’ beside it.”
Ray Wragg, 86, from Sheffield, won £7,649,520 on Jan 22, 2000. With his beloved wife Barbara, who died in 2018, Ray “gave £5.5million away to family and friends, hospitals and good causes”. He once paid £12,000 for Second World War veterans to revisit Monte Cassino. Ray has since met Anne on a cruise and they’ve bought a three-bedroom bungalow together.
Jackie King, 68, from North-East Lincs, won £14,003,369 in late Nov 1998. Moving to a six-bed house after her win, Jackie downsized when her sons left home. She has two rescue dogs – one of whom, Barney, has anxiety. Jackie says: “He had never been for a walk before. A trainer and behaviourist gave him a new lease of life.”
Jodie Langston, 27, from Birmingham, won £1,000,000 in Oct 2019. Just 22 when she scooped her prize, Jodie bought a house three doors away from her parents and a BMW 1 Series with personalised number plates. She married painter and decorator Alex in July. Jodie says: “I had the wedding of my dreams – a huge country house, nine groomsmen and nine bridesmaids.”
Dean Allen, 50, from Essex, won £13,861,061 on Aug 5, 2000. Dean gave up work aged 26, married his girlfriend Louise, now 47, and became a sports volunteer at his daughters’ school every week for nine years. Qualified as a sessional coach, he has worked for West Ham United’s academy and foundation.
Elaine Thompson, 69, from North Shields, won £2,704,666 on Dec 9, 1995. After buying her winning ticket to celebrate her 17th wedding anniversary with husband Derek, 66, Elaine opened a restaurant in Lyme Regis before moving to Newcastle and working nights at M&S part time. Elaine says: “We have bought four racehorses – we nicknamed the first Sicknote – and this year achieved our long-held ambition of visiting every racecourse in the UK.”
Peter Congdon, 76, from Truro, won £13,538,113 on May 27, 2015. Kind-hearted Peter gave £1.2million and had a new Range Rover auctioned to fund a hydro pool at a local multiple sclerosis centre in memory of his late wife Rosemary, who battled the condition for more than 30 years. Peter says: “At weekends, I drive brides to their weddings for free in my £250,000 Bentley Continental.”
Matt Evans, 44, from Wales, won £2,604,015 on Jul 8, 2015. Postie Matt lived at home with his parents at the time of his win and bought his dad a car. He lives with his girlfriend Hollie and young son in a house with a football pitch and dug-out in his garden. Matt says: “I followed Cardiff City FC and Wales to all their matches – to China, Georgia, Moldova and even Ukraine.”
Debbie Goolding from Hampshire, won £1,000,000 in Jul 2020. After finding a forgotten scratchcard in her bag, Debbie realised she was a millionaire. With her partner Joe, she bought land and built a family home. Debbie says: “I still deliver for a catering company and one customer couldn’t believe I’d won the lottery. He said, ‘You look so normal!'”
Lesley Higgins, 63, from Perth, won £57,975,367 on Jul 10, 2018. Lesley and husband Fred, 74, bought a grand 850-acre estate. Lesley says: “When we won, I placed our winning ticket in an envelope and wrote, ‘Money worries over.'” Incredibly, she adds: “Our win saved Fred’s life”.This is because Fred bought a pricey custom-made kilt for his niece’s wedding. When he tried it on six weeks later, it fell off him. Lesley says: “He’d lost so much weight but we hadn’t noticed. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery.”
Natalie Cunliffe, 39, from Blackpool, won £1,000,000 in Feb 2016 with husband Andrew. Natalie and Andrew, 45, who have two children, renovated an abandoned 1930s property. It has four bedrooms with en suites and walk-in wardrobes, plus a hot tub and wine fridge. Natalie says: “Andrew popped the question as soon as we won – we had our dream wedding in Cyprus the next year.”
Anne Canavan, 63, lives in Northern Ireland and Kingston-upon-Thames, won £1,054,000 on Aug 28, 2015. Inventor and writer Anne has refurbished her four-bed home and invested in property. She says: “I read that Roald Dahl used to drive an old banger, so I bought a 2008 Saab.” Anne was diagnosed with early cervical cancer in 2021 and says the experience has made her “determined to make the very most of life”.
Jonny Johnston, 46, from Northern Ireland, won £3,800,000 on Dec 16, 2023. After Tesco delivery driver Johnny Johnston’s win was verified, he rang his employer to leave but discovered his colleagues needed help with Christmas deliveries. Johnny says: “I couldn’t bear the thought of my elderly customers being let down so on December 23, I did the 7.30am-5.30pm shift.” He owns five tractors and is married to Christina.
Ceri Roscoe-Roberts, 43, from Wales, won £1,000,000 on Nov 1, 2023. Ceri quit her job and bought a guest house in Snowdonia with husband Paul, 46, a golf course manager. She says: “Now, I wake every morning and it still takes a while for reality to sink in.”
Donna Hendry, 54, from West Lothian, won £4,078,509 on Jan 7, 2015. Donna and her husband of 23 years, David, retired after their win, bought a bigger house and travelled extensively.After returning from a holiday to California to celebrate Donna’s 50th birthday in February 2020, David was diagnosed with cancer. He died four months later. Donna says: “Our son was only 18. He’s just graduated with a First, I know his father would have been so proud.”
Neil Leighton, 25, from Hereford, won £1,000,000 in Dec 2023. Homebody Neil bought a four-bedroom house near to his parents, but his mum still cooks his tea! He collects train memorabilia and hopes to buy a steam train one day. He treated 13 of his friends to a £30,000 holiday in Greece. Neil says: “It would have been wrong not to do something really fun before ‘sensible Neil’ took over.”
Hannah Hallsworth, 35, from Sheffield, won £1,017,166 with her then boyfriend in Nov 2008 (gold sequin dress) Only 19 and in her second year at university when her numbers came up, Hannah qualified as a personal trainer and still works part time. She has competed in the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation and came third for Britain in 2018 in the Ultimate Athlete contest.
Geraldine Bradley, 55, from Wales, enjoyed a family syndicate win of £3,570,063 on Mar 11, 2006. Hairdresser Geraldine loves her job and still works two days a week. She and husband Christopher, 53, are motorbike mad and Geraldine bought a £7,000 600cc Honda
Celeste Coles, 71, from Birmingham, won £3,665,079 on Jul 12, 2022. Retired college lecturer Celeste has a daughter with Down’s syndrome so the money has helped secure her future. She has bought an apartment in Spain and sent money to her family in Barbados. Celeste says: “My sense of adventure has only increased since my win. I’ve been to Costa Rica,Aruba, Greece, Miami and St Lucia.”
James Evans, 25, from Leicestershire, won £3,600,000 on Dec 28, 2020. With his winnings, landscaper James bought a house and a Jeep Compass. He’s become a ski instructor and refurbished his home. James says: “”To save money I did the painting, decorating and landscaping!”
Kate Donaghey, 34, from Newcastle, won £1,000,000 in Sept 2018. After her win, Kate moved her husband Darren, 39, and two children, who both have autism, from their two-bedroom council house to a five-bedroom house with a gym. Darren now cares full-time for his children.
Jamie Heavens, 30, from Bournemouth, won £1,000,000 on Sept 9, 2016. Roofer Jamie was just 22 when he became a millionaire. He runs a breakdown business while his wife Danielle has a cake business with her twin sister. They have two children. Jamie says: “I can step back from work a bit now and I’ve taken up fishing.”
Joanne Jobson, 51, from Hartlepool, won £3,600,000 on Feb 22 this year. Former care worker Joanne bought a four-bedroom home and diamond ring to celebrate her jackpot scoop. Joanne says: “I still pop into the care home where I used to work and have tea with the kids there. They’re non-verbal but they recognise my voice.”
Sarah Cockings, 40, from Whitley Bay, won £3,045,705 on Apr 30, 2005. After her win, student Sarah bought a house, a Swarovski diamond-studded watch and breast enhancement surgery for herself and her two sisters. She says: “It was my mum’s dream to see me graduate, so I went back to university.”
