A cancer sufferer who claimed a record £20.1 million (US$37.1 million) in the UK Lotto has described the moment when she realized that she had won the jackpot.
Iris Jeffrey, a 58-year-old housewife, had put her ticket in a cupboard at her Belfast home without checking to see if it matched the winning numbers drawn on July 14.
But she realised she had won after seeing an appeal from the organisers Camelot for the person holding the winning ticket to claim the outstanding rollover jackpot.
"I wrote down the numbers and checked them against my ticket," she said. "I thought that I had all six but could really not believe it [until] I asked my daughter Wendy to check for me.
"When she confirmed the win I said 'Oh, I've won, that's nice', I really don't think I realized quite what had happened."
Mrs Jeffrey now tops the National Lottery rich list having picked up her prize money of £20,100,472 yesterday.
She is planning to spend her winnings on her husband Robert, 62, and their daughters Wendy, 32, and Karen, 28, who is expecting a baby.
Her first treat, however, will be a new washing machine followed by a new car - although she is plumping for a Renault Clio or Volkswagen Golf rather than a top of the range sports car.
"My first wish is to make sure the family is secure and also look after my friends," she said.
"We have family in Australia and Canada and they have already been celebrating our good fortune - the phone hasn't stopped ringing with messages of congratulations.
"The big excitement to follow our windfall has to be the eminent prospect of becoming a grandmother for the first time and my Lotto win will mean I can really and truly spoil the new arrival."
Good thing the UK lottery doesn't offer annuity(-only) jackpots.