HELLO , I THINK I’VE WON A FEW QUID...
Six weeks to realise he’d lucky ticket
BUILDER Andrew Clark told yesterday how he spent six weeks hanging doors and laying floors – unaware he was worth £76million.
The dad-of-two bought a jackpotwinning Lottery ticket on November 2 and stuck it behind the sun visor of his work van with dozens he had stockpiled.
He then carried on working, without realising he was Britain’s 12th-biggest Lottery winner with a fortune to match singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s.
When he found the ticket, Andrew told prize claim hotline operator Craig: “Hello, I think I’ve won a few quid.”
Craig checked his EuroMillions ticket number, then slowly read out his prize: “Seventy six million, three hundred and sixty nine thousand, eight hundred and six pounds and eight pence.
“Wow, what an amount of money. So you’re the person with the ticket…” The self-employed builder replied: “Yes.” Craig then asked: “Do you know what you’re going to do with that?”
“No, I haven’t a clue,” Andrew replied.
Lotto firm Camelot last night released an audio recording of the phone call.
As bosses appealed for the winner to claim their prize Andrew was building an extension for his girlfriend Trisha Fairhurst’s niece, Louise.
When he heard the unclaimed jackpot had been bought near Skegness, Lincs, he was sure it was not his. He got his ticket 22 miles away in Boston.
But as drama surrounding the biggest ever unclaimed prize gripped the nation, Louise pestered him to check.
“It was one hell of a moment,” he said.
Andrew, 51, plans to share his jackpot with hospital catering assistant Trisha, 51, and more than 20 of their relatives.
The couple, who met four years ago on the internet, have already started shopping, with a new car each and a new four-bed detached house.
“The whole family will be looked after – well looked after,” he said. “It’s going to change a lot of lives, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and their kids.
“It almost feels like some magical Christmas story, the man who nearly lost £76m.
“This win isn’t just about Christmas magic, it’s about creating a lifetime of magical moments for all those around us.”
The Star Says: Page 6