Lotto Winner Thought His Workmates Were Playing a Practical Joke
Last Updated: Friday 3rd February 2017, 14:28
A Lotto winner who picked up £4.3 million in the draw on Saturday 28th January thought his workmates were playing a trick on him as he checked his numbers during his lunch break. James Couper, of Greenock in Inverclyde, admitted his unfounded suspicions at a press conference today at which he was presented with a cheque for half of the £8.7 million jackpot from last weekend’s draw.
James was one of two players to match the winning line 5, 21, 23, 34, 43 and 45, becoming the third and fourth jackpot winners of 2017 in the process. More than 1.4 million ticket holders picked up prizes in the draw, with another £1 million award going to the participant who matched the winning Lotto Millionaire Raffle code. See the full prize breakdown at the Lotto Results page.
The 46-year-old, who works as a ferry port worker, told the assembled press that he almost choked on his sandwich when his colleagues read the winning numbers out loud. At first, he was certain they’d secretly seen his ticket and were having a joke. However, when he realised that he really was a brand new millionaire, he admitted he sat alone with a cup of tea in a dark room to help come to terms with the win, stashing his ticket in a toy box to keep it safe.
James, a dad-of-two, said he hoped the win won’t change him and confirmed that he is likely to splash out on a new car, a house befitting his new bank balance and a trip to Florida for him and his son and daughter. “I’m still trying to let it sink in; it’s scary, good scary, but very scary. It’s surreal,” he confessed.
If you would like a taste of the millionaire lifestyle, Lotto returns on Saturday night with a jackpot worth £5.6 million and another £1 million to be won on Lotto Millionaire Raffle. You can play Lotto online or by visiting authorised retailers across the country. Good luck!