He blew £500k... now he’s worth more than when he hit jackpot
A LOTTERY winner who partied away half his £1million prize has made it all back – after his mum read him the riot act.
“So I’ve been living the dream. Most incredibly, I’m still a millionaire.
“But the reality is if I’d carried on spending the way I was, the money would have dried up pretty soon.
“My mum Vivien stopped me from becoming a lottery loser. She made me a cup of tea, sat me down and warned me, ‘If you carry on as you are you are going to blow the lot.’
“Her words shocked me so much, within a year I’ve transformed from having £500,000 left in my account to having £1.1million.”
He added: “I’m determined to enjoy every moment of the money while I’m young but I’ll never spend as much as I did.”
Matt served as a Lance Corporal i n the Royal Engineers from 2005 to 2010.
He went on a round- theworld tour after his win in April 2014 with his brother Pete, 28, who has served a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The playboy lifestyle h has seen Matt party in Italy, Bali, America,A Thailand, Brazil and Dubai.Duba He said: “I’m faithf faithful when I’m dating but w when I’m single I love to play the field. There were a few modelsmode and some averag average girls. “Two girl girls threw themse themselves at me on once. “I always pra practise sa safe sex, I’ I’m al always respectful and we had fun. I think the win gave me new confidence. Most of the girls didn’t know about my win.
“I’m not a shallow person. I’ve served my country for five years in the Army so I know first-hand how life can change in an instant. That’s made me determined to enjoy every opportunity.
“I’m young and I’m single, I’d defy any other red-blooded man not to do the same. I’ve loved every moment.”
But Matt admitted: “I’ve always said I want to be in a meaningful relationship at the age of 30. And I do want a family and settle down.”
He had a year-long romance with air hostess Tash but that ended two months ago. Matt said: “I’m so lucky to have won the lottery but I’m not as lucky when it comes to love. I hoped Tash might be the one but she doesn’t live in the UK. She’s an amazing girl and we tried for a year to sustain a long- distance relationship but it hasn’t worked out.”
Now Matt is planning to fulfil a boyhood dream of becoming a firefighter.
He said: “I joined the Army when the fire service told me I needed some life experience. I’ve certainly lived my life and I’d like to give something back.
“I think people expected me to fall big time off the rails. But while I’ve partied hard, the Army gives you a discipline that never leaves you.
“I do my own cleaning and iron my own clothes. And I’ve never forgotten my roots.”