A UK builder named as the winner of the £105 million (US$138 million) EuroMillions jackpot has pledged not to stop working despite landing the "life-changing" fortune.
Father-of-three Steve Thomson said he felt like he was having a heart attack he realized he had the winning numbers on his Lucky Dip ticket and was a "gibbering wreck" as he told wife Lenka. A Lucky Dip ticket is one in which the computer selects all random numbers instead of the player choosing the numbers to play.
The 42-year-old said his priority would be buying a new house with a bedroom each for the couple's daughter and two sons, who currently share in a "shoebox" three-bedroom house in Selsey, West Sussex.
Their £105,100,701.90 windfall came on the 25th anniversary of the first National Lottery draw, and marks just the latest instance of UK residents getting lucky in the European lottery.
"I was a shaking, gibbering wreck," Steve explained. "I walked round the living room a few times, I went out to the van, I went back in, it was five minutes of madness then I decided to go and tell Lenka."
Ms. Thomson, a shop worker originally from Slovakia, added, "It's life-changing for the family. It's so emotional."
The family now plans to take a vacation but said they would to stay in the seaside town where they have built their life.
Describing the moment he told his children about the win, Mr. Thomson said, "My eldest's reaction, he's a very sensible kid, he said, 'Dad, can I have my own room?'. I said, 'No problem, of course you can son'.
"My middle son said, 'Can I have a Tesla', and my daughter asked for a pink iPhone and she's going to get that."
Mr. Thomson vowed to complete all of his outstanding construction work — and would likely continue to fit windows and conservatories into the future.
"Once I am over the shock I will need to keep doing something", he said, "I am not the type just to sit still. My business partner knows that if he needs a hand I'll be there."
Neighbor Yvonne Dennett said Mr. Thompson had fitted her windows in the past, with the 75-year-old adding, "He's a kind, good lad, I'm happy for them. I would recommend him as a builder, he's a trustworthy person. I hope he keeps working, we need something to keep going in life."
The couple who run the small shop that sold the winning ticket said it was "mind-boggling" to know they were part of Mr. Thompson's story.
Kandarp Patel, 58, who runs the shop with his wife Priti said the stroke of luck "could not have happened to a better couple".
He added, "We have been trying so long and it's nice to see one of our customers winning it. It is mind-boggling that one of your customers wins such a big amount."
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Thanks to dannyct for the tip.
Some folks enjoy their job!
Congrats and best wishes to him!
Congrats on the big win!
I work for one of the big box wholesale stores and of all the positions available, I enjoy doing what I do over the other positions. But, if I was to win a big lottery prize, you can be certain that it would be SO LONG, SEE YA!
He should have learnt from the example of other lottery winners, that going public is very unwise. Whatever he, and his family, do in the future will be reported in the media. The UK gives lottery winners the option to remain anonymous, the vast majority, very sensibly, choose to do so.
"The 42-year-old said his priority would be buying a new house"
So the guy's a builder, wants to keep working, and he's going to buy a house? Shouldn't he build himself a house as soon as he's done with his prior commitments?
And I wonder if the middle son is going to get a car at all, or if he only needs to decide what his new phone will be.
I don't think the UK tabloid press has time for lottery winners any more. If Meghan Markle so much as farts it's an earth-shattering royal scandal they've got to race to report on. The Thomsons are probably safe.
I don't believe this story
The media will report whatever they do, especially if is sad, bad or embarrassing. Whenever there in another lottery jackpot story, the media will reprint their story.
Give him some time with the money. Right now he only knows how to live pre-winnings and some people are afraid to take a big step. Once a few weeks or maybe months go by he may change his tune.
After his business partner, a few customers, and half-a-dozen subcontractors ask him for money, he may rethink his decision to keep working in construction.
Lol!. Reminds me of the chef who went out to dinner. How dare a chef go out and enjoy a meal prepared for him.
You assume that same mentality.
I certainly wouldn't want to do my own heart transplant just because I was a cardiologist.
Best I say is. He won. It's his fun.
I recall Mr Robinson from Tenn, or was it KY saying the same thing after his win " I will continue to work." Then he went off and bought himself a castle w/ a moat.
The UK Lottery offers winners independent financial advice, hopefully he was wise enough to accept it.
Congrats to the Winner
A Lucky Dip or as we call them, Quick Pick or Easy Pick won this time. Congratulations and I hope that this family hires Security for a month or so. Too bad that they cannot go on vacation immediately.