UK player scoops £170m on EuroMillions to become country’s biggest ever prize-winner

ONE UK ticket holder has won the £170m EuroMillions jackpot to become the country’s biggest ever winner.

The player matched all five main numbers — 07, 10, 15, 44, 49 — and the two lucky stars — 03 and 12 — in Tuesday’s draw, following the longest-ever series of rollovers.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at The National Lottery, said: “One incredibly lucky ticket holder has scooped tonight’s enormous £170m EuroMillions jackpot.

“They are now the UK’s biggest ever winner.

“Players all across the country are urged to check their tickets as soon as possible.

“It’s been a fantastic year for UK EuroMillions players, with an amazing five jackpot wins.

“In June, one lucky ticket-holder, who chose to remain anonymous, became one of the UK’s biggest ever winners after scooping a £123m jackpot.

“As always, the team are on hand to support and help guide the new winner as they start their adventure with their life-changing win.”

He added: “Every EuroMillions ticket sold helps contribute to more than £30m raised every week for good causes by The National Lottery — funding everything from local community projects to supporting the nation’s athletes.”

Northern Ireland has had its fair share of big winners over the years, with more than 100 lottery millionaires.

A Co Armagh couple started the new year with a bang by winning nearly £115m in the EuroMillions lottery.

At the time, Frances and Patrick Connolly, (above) from Moira were the National Lottery’s fourth largest ever winners.

Strabane woman Margaret Loughrey won nearly £27m back in December 2013. Other major winners include Belfast housewife Iris Jeffrey who was suffering from cancer when she won £20.4m in July 2004.

Former bus driver Peter Lavery won £10.2m in May 1996, while Belfast woman Mary Hamilton won a EuroMillions jackpot of £12.9m in November 2014.

The £123m winner in June has never revealed their identity and Camelot, which runs the National Lottery and EuroMillions, would not disclose whether it was an individual winner or a syndicate. The previous biggest UK winners were Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in North Ayrshire, Scotland, who won £161m in July 2011.

Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Suffolk, took home more than £148m in August 2012.

It has been a particularly successful year for Britons in the EuroMillions this year, with several jackpots claimed.

In the New Year’s Day draw, Patrick and Frances Connolly, from Northern Ireland, won the £114.9m EuroMillions jackpot.

Ade Goodchild landed a £71m prize in March, while another anonymous ticket-holder bagged £35.2m in April.