From reviving ‘dead’ pets to Ibiza benders and living in a caravan – how Lotto winners who scooped £194m splashed cash
THIRTY years ago today, the first-ever National Lottery tickets went on sale.
And since then the cash draw has given away an astonishing £94BILLION in prize money and created 7,400 millionaires.
To mark the milestone, celebrity photographer Rankin brought together 30 jackpot winners for a photoshoot.
The lucky lot, whose ages range from 25 to 80, have won £194,465,555 in total.
They include EuroMillions winners Gareth Bull, who won £40million, and Lesley Higgins.
She scooped nearly £58million and says the lottery saved her husband’s life.
Here, all 30 tell their tales of the ultimate in lotto luck
£1,000,000
1. MATT MYLES Apr 8, 2014
WHEN factory worker Matt won the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker, he jumped on a plane to join his mates on a lads’ holiday that he had previously not been able to afford.
He says: “For the first 12 months after my win, I went a bit wild. I flew to Bali for five weeks, on to Thailand, and Brazil for the World Cup, which was unbelievable, then I went to Ibiza for a mega holiday with 13 of my pals.”
Matt, 38, who lives in Hereford with wife Stacey, 35, and their two young sons, now runs a property business and still keeps his winner’s giant cheque in his shed.
£1,038,997
2. JULIE JEFFERY Jun, 2002
JULIE kept working as a fire station cook after her win, and only retired in June this year.
She says: “I loved my job,” and adds: “Early on I went into a boutique in London and saw Amanda Holden. I had such a strong urge to go up to her and shout, ‘I’ve won the lottery!’”
Her first post-win purchase was a six-sided cheese grater, but since then Julie, 63, and husband Chris, 68, of Watford, Herts, have gone on to buy a holiday park home in Devon.
The couple have two grown-up children and Julie says: “Our win allowed our children to start their families earlier, so I thank the National Lottery for my grandchildren!”
£10,000 a month for 30 years
3. SYLIA 0DOLANT-SMITH Oct 24, 2019
DAYS before her Set For Life win, Sylvia’s beloved rescue cat Phangan was diagnosed with cancer and needed treatment she could not afford.
Former caterer Sylvia, 47, took her straight back to the vet and ordered medication and care that extended her life by eight months.
She says: “The winnings bought us time with her that I’ll remember for ever.”
Sylvia and husband Gavin, 44, now live in Essex and France.
She says: “We bought a little flat in Brittany, which we’re doing up.
“Our plan is to do up properties, enjoy life together – and continue to rescue animals.”
£2,003,705
4. BRIAN SHARP Jun 19, 2010
GRANDAD of five Brian had always dreamed of living by the river in Musselburgh, East Lothian – and he snapped up a five-bedroom home there just five days after his jackpot win.
But the 63-year-old former electrician didn’t quit his job so fast, and says: “I had to work another six weeks before they found a replacement for me.”
He adds: “Our winning cheque is framed and takes pride of place in our downstairs toilet.”
Brian and wife Anne, 62, now spend a lot of time travelling.
He says: “Our aim is to see every Formula One grand prix.
“My favourite saying is, ‘How much for cash?’.”
£1,000,000
5. BEN LOWTHER Oct 2021
VIDEO games developer Ben won EuroMillions’ UK Millionaire Maker prize on a Friday, and was made redundant the next Monday.
He says: “I was devastated to lose my job but we were in a more fortunate situation thanks to our win.
“A neighbour lost his job too, so it was lovely that we could help them out financially so close to Christmas.”
Ben, 41, and fiancée Holly, 31, used their lottery win to buy a four-bedroom house in Cambridge, where they live with their three children.
Ben also proposed to Holly, and they are now planning the wedding of their dreams.
£57,975,367
6. LESLEY HIGGINS July 10, 2018
PORT worker Lesley, 63, had always dreamed of having a swimming pool – but now she takes dips in her very own loch.
She and husband Fred, 74, bought an 850-acre estate near Perth after their EuroMillions win and she says: “We learned to farm alongside Jeremy Clarkson’s TV show.”
The couple, who have one daughter, also credit the win with saving Fred’s life.
When he bought a custom-made kilt, a tailor noticed his dramatic weight loss between fittings.
Fred was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had successful surgery.
Lesley says: “I feel that the lottery saved his life in a way.”
£6,048,499
7. VIV MOSS Oct 3, 1998
THREE weeks after their big win, hairdresser Viv and her partner Kevin got married.
But it was hardly extravagant, with the reception at a Harvester restaurant costing £375.
She says: “It was so last-minute that we scraped ‘Merry Xmas’ off an M&S festive cake and placed a mini bride and groom on top instead.
“I cried at the wedding because I was still in shock.”
Grandparents Viv, now 73, and Kevin, 78, later moved to Newquay in Cornwall, and she says: “We saw apartments being built overlooking our favourite bay, and bought one.
“Now I bodyboard in the surf whenever the weather allows.”
£1,000,000
8. NATALIE CUNLIFFE Feb 2016
AFTER their scratchcard win, event planner Natalie and husband Andrew, 45, moved to a new home in Blackpool with their ten-year-old daughter and six-year-old son.
Natalie, 39, says: “Andrew popped the question straight after the win and we had our dream wedding in Cyprus.
“We bought an Audi Q5 but I still shop at Aldi and always get discount codes.”
She adds: “Our son loves sport, and our daughter has a one-to-one football coach and is inspired by the Lionesses.
“We’ve been to see them play, and we’ve installed goalposts in the garden to help her train.”
£40,627,241
9. GARETH BULL Jan 20, 2012
FORMER builder Gareth spent some of his colossal fortune on a bungalow on a large plot in Mansfield, Notts, then knocked it down and moved into a caravan on site.
During lockdown he then built his own four-bedroom mansion with an eight-foot projector screen, a pool with wave machine and hot tubs.
Dad-of-two Gareth, 53, recalls: “My friends said, ‘You’ve won £40,000,000 and moved into a caravan!’
“When lockdown happened the builders had to stop but I just carried on alone.”
He even dug a lake and built what he calls a Lottery Lodge on the shore.
£1,054,000
10. ANNE CANAVAN Aug 28, 2015
LANDLADY Anne’s EuroMillions win has allowed her some spare time to work on an invention she hopes will help her clean up even more – the “Snotblot”, a kids’ wristband that stores tissues.
The 63-year-old grandma of five has also written a children’s novel which she hopes will be published.
Anne, who splits her time between Northern Ireland and Kingston-upon-Thames in South West London, also treated herself to a car – though nothing too flash.
She says: “I read that Roald Dahl used to drive an old banger, so I bought a 2008 Saab.”
£7,649,520
11. RAY WRAGG Jan 22, 2000
BIG-hearted construction supervisor Ray and his wife Barbara gave away £5.5million of their Lotto jackpot to family, friends, hospitals and good causes in Sheffield.
They once took 250 school children to a Disney On Ice show and paid £12,000 for war veterans to revisit Monte Cassino in Italy, scene of a devastating 1944 battle.
Barbara died in 2018 but Ray is now sharing his life with new partner Anne, 85.
He says: “I found happiness again when I met Anne on a cruise and we’ve just gone 50-50 on a three-bedroom bungalow together.”
£14,003,369
12. JACKIE KING Nov 1998
THE first thing that mum-of-two Jackie did after her Lotto win was organise a trip to Lapland for her sons and 35 family and friends.
Administrator Jackie, 68, bought a six-bedroom house in Humberston, North Lincs, but downsized when her sons, now aged 35 and 32, left home.
She says: “I don’t think the win changed me but when I first won, people would say to me, ‘What are you still doing in Grimsby?’
“I was also questioned when I looked at the sale rails in House of Fraser – but I still like a bargain.”
£1,000,000
13. JODIE LANGSTON Oct 2019
JODIE had been saving up for a pair of Ugg boots when she won on an Instant Win Game.
The 27-year-old recalls: “When I won, I said to my sister, ‘There’s three different colours, which pair should I choose?’ and she replied, ‘You’ve won the lottery – you can afford all three!’.”
Jodie, of Northfield, South Birmingham, married 28-year-old decorator Alex in July this year – and did not scrimp on the event.
She says: “I had the wedding of my dreams – a huge country house, nine groomsmen and nine bridesmaids, with a honeymoon in Greece.”
£13,861,061
14. DEAN ALLEN Aug 5, 2000
THE company where printer Dean and his girlfriend Louise worked was getting rid of half the staff.
Four days later he won a mega Lotto rollover.
Dean, 50, of Ongar, Essex, gave up work straight away and married Louise, now 47, and they have two girls.
His new life of leisure allowed him to help with sports at his daughters’ school, which he did for nine years, and he qualified as a coach for West Ham United’s foundation and academy.
Dean says: “I drive a Mini now and don’t feel the need for a big car.
“It’s taken me 24 years to become a grown-up.”
£1,000,000
15. CERI ROSCOE-ROBERTS Nov 3, 2023
CARE company manager Ceri has always been prone to having vivid dreams.
So when she told her 46-year-old husband Paul of their EuroMillions win early one morning, she recalls: “He thought it had been one of my dreams.”
The couple, who have five children, quickly embarked on a new life in Snowdonia in North Wales.
Ceri, 43, says: “We bought a guest house with every bedroom ensuite, and a garage.
“I wake up every morning and it still takes a while for reality to sink in.”
£2,704,666
16. ELAINE THOMPSON Dec 9, 1995
ELAINE hit the lottery jackpot on her 17th wedding anniversary to her 66-year-old husband Derek.
She says: “We were whisked off to the Waldorf Hotel in London by the National Lottery, but when I saw the menu there I refused to pay £35 for a burger and we walked to McDonald’s.”
They used some of their win to open a restaurant in Lyme Regis, Dorset, then bought a four-bedroom house in North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
Elaine, 69, says: “Since winning we have bought four racehorses and this year we achieved our ambition to visit every racecourse in the UK.”
£4,078,509
17. DONNA HENDRY Jan 7, 2015
WINNING their jackpot allowed Donna and husband David to spend five precious years fulfilling their dreams before he died in June 2020 aged 51, after a short battle with cancer.
The couple, who have one son, quit their jobs and bought a home in Mid Calder, West Lothian, and commercial executive Donna, 54, says: “We spent every day together.
“We went on amazing trips, including Memphis, because David was such an Elvis fan.
“We even had a special Elvis suit made so he could serenade his friend at a Vegas wedding, and I still have that video, although I can’t bring myself to watch it just yet.”
£13,538,113
18. PETER CONGDON May 27, 2015
GREAT grandad Peter gave £1.2million of his winnings to fund a hydro pool at a local multiple sclerosis centre in memory of his late wife Rosemary, who had the condition for 30 years.
Peter, 76, from Truro, Cornwall, was a retired funeral director before his big win and ran a Ford Kuga, but afterwards he treated himself to a £100,000 BMW i8.
He says: “I was pulled over by a policeman and he said, ‘There’s nothing wrong – I just want to admire your car’.”
He adds: “At weekends I drive brides to their weddings for free in my £250,000 Bentley Continental.”
£1,000,000
19. NEIL LEIGHTON Dec 2023
ASSISTANT leisure centre manager Neil won a million playing an Instant Win game on his phone.
He says: “My mum didn’t believe me, so I sent her a screenshot of the winnings in my bank account.
“A month after my win, I took 13 of my friends to Greece and hired a beautiful villa.
“It cost £30,000 – then ‘sensible Neil’ took over.”
The 25-year-old bought a four-bedroom house near his parents in Hereford and says: “Mum still cooks me tea.”
He adds: “My main spending will be on train memorabilia. I’d love to have a steam train at some point – even if it was a small ride-on railway.”
£1,017,166
20. HANNAH HALLSWORTH Nov 2008
STUDENT Hannah was just 19 when she became a millionaire, and recalls thinking: “This can really change my life if I’m sensible.”
She qualified as a personal trainer, then used some of her windfall to compete in bodybuilding contests around the world.
She says: “It helped to pay for flights, hairstyling, specialist spray tans and beautiful, bespoke outfits.”
Hannah is now 35, and works as a trainer part-time and lives in a four-bedroom home in Sheffield with partner Mark, 37, and their toddler son.
She says: “My happiness is complete.”
£2,604,015
21. MATT EVANS Jul 8, 2015
FOOTBALL-mad Matt turned his back garden into a pitch after hitting the jackpot, complete with full-size goals and a dugout.
But it still took the former postman some time to fully adjust to his win.
He says: “I was in shock. I spent £700 on new clothes but then I didn’t spend anything for a month.
“I was afraid to leave the house for weeks.”
Since then Matt, 44, who lives in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan with girlfriend Hollie, 30, and their young son, has travelled the world to watch Cardiff City FC and Wales play.
£1,000,000
22. DEBBIE GOOLDING Jul 2020
CATERER Debbie’s £5 scratchcard from Tesco sat in the bottom of her bag – until she remembered to check it one night while she was watching the Will Smith movie Independence Day on TV.
Next day, the 51-year-old mum of four and her husband, heating engineer Joseph, 42, hit the shops.
She recalls: “We bought iPads for the children and expensive Calvin Klein boxer shorts for Joe.”
They later built their own home in Aldershot, Hants, but they both still work.
Debbie says: “One customer couldn’t believe I’d won the lottery. He said, ‘You look so normal’.”
£3, 570, 063
23. GERALDINE BRADLEY Mar 11, 2006
HAIRDRESSER Geraldine and her husband Christopher, 53, celebrated their win with a £9.99 box of KFC.
The mum of two says: “We were scared to spend anything for the first six months.”
But since then the couple have allowed themselves a splurge on their love of motorcycles.
Geraldine, 55, of Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, says: “For my 40th, I treated myself to a £7,000, 600cc Honda with a top speed of 156mph. We even once had our hedge cut in the shape of a motorbike.”
She still works two days a week but notes: “The tips did stop.”
£3,665,079
24. CELESTE COLES Jul 12, 2022
RETIRED college lecturer Celeste thought it was fate when she checked her EuroMillions numbers late one night on her laptop.
She recalls: “I always thought I was going to win – and win big.”
The mum of two from Birmingham says: “My daughter Rachel has Down’s syndrome and one of my very first thoughts was that I could help to secure her future.”
Celeste, 71, also bought a flat in Spain, helped family in Barbados and splashed out on globe-trotting adventures.
She adds: “Next I plan to visit North America, and I can’t wait.”
£10,000 a month for 30 years
25. JAMES EVANS Dec 28, 2020
JAMES was on his PlayStation when he got an email telling him of his Set For Life win.
The 25-year-old landscaper and paver then rang to check and says: “Apparently I was the most chilled winner who had ever called the lottery hotline, but in truth I was in shock.”
James bought a house in Swadlincote, Leics, and fitted it out with a hot tub and gazebo.
He also helped to design and build a memorial garden for the charity Canine Partners, which provides assistance dogs for disabled people.
He says: “It took two weeks but when I saw the charity’s film about their work, I actually cried.”
£3,800,000
26. JONNY JOHNSTON Dec 16, 2023
STRAIGHT after he found out about his Lotto win, Tesco delivery driver Jonny did a shift in the pouring rain.
He says: “I couldn’t bear the thought of my elderly customers being let down.”
The 46-year-old, who still works one day a week, went on to marry his long-term partner Christina, 46, with whom he has three children.
Among his buys, he has treated himself to some new wheels – of an unusual kind.
Jonny, from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, says: “I drive the same car, but I did buy five tractors.
“But I’ve promised I will stop now.”
£1,000,000
27. KATE DONAGHEY Sept 2018
FULL-time mum Kate did not believe it when her 39-year-old hubby Darren went shopping for milk and came back with a winning scratchcard.
She recalls: “I kept saying, ‘Where’s the milk?’ while he was shouting, ‘We’ve won a million pounds’.”
The couple, from Gosforth, Newcastle, bought a new house and can now afford to be stay-at-home parents to their two children, who both have autism.
Kate, 34, says of the win: “It’s emotional because the money gives them security in the future. Our National Lottery win drastically changed our lives for the better.”
£1,000,000
28. JAMIE HEAVENS Sept 9, 2016
WHEN he won his fortune with a scratchcard, Jamie was 22, dad to a nine-week-old baby boy – and so broke that he could not afford to marry his fiancée Danielle.
But the former roofer and his partner, from Bournemouth, have since treated themselves to a £25,000 wedding and have a second child.
Jamie, now 30, also started his own breakdown business, while Danielle, 29, began a cake company.
Jamie says: “I can step back from work a bit now, and I’ve taken up fishing.
“The win still hasn’t really sunk in.”
£10,000 a month for 30 years
29. JOANNE JOBSON Feb 22, 2024
JOANNE was working nights as a carer at a home for children with disabilities when she won the Set For Life game.
The 51-year-old, from Hartlepool, Co Durham, says: “I rang and told my deputy and she simply said, ‘Go and enjoy your life’.
“I bought a four-bedroom house just a month after my win and I also treated myself to a diamond ring in an antique shop – something I never would have done before.”
Joanne now plans a trip to London to see Abba Voyage and to go up the Shard.
But she says: “I still pop into the care home and have tea with the kids there.”
£3,045,705
30. SARAH COCKINGS Apr 30, 2005
STUDENT Sarah hit the headlines after her win for buying boob jobs for her two sisters and herself.
But she has rarely splurged her cash since then.
The 40-year-old says: “We took the children camping every year and only actually went abroad with them for the first time this year.”
Sarah also bought a home in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, where she lives with her partner, their young son and three children from a previous relationship.
She says: “Now I’m planning on doing something new – maybe a dog-grooming course.”