Lottery jackpot winner dies after short illness
THE winner of one of the UK’s biggest Euromillions jackpots has died after a short illness.
Colin Weir and wife Chris, from Largs in North Ayrshire, claimed the £161m prize in July 2011.
Earlier this year the pair confirmed they would divorce after 38 years of marriage.
A spokeswoman for his personal lawyers said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of
Colin Weir early today after a short illness. We would ask for privacy for his family and friends at this distressing time.”
The 71-year-old former TV cameraman and his then wife, a former psychiatric nurse, made the Sunday Times Rich List with their win eight years ago.
News of their intention to split broke in April this year. Together they have two grown-up children.
In 2013 the couple set up The Weir Charitable Trust and made a donation to a community football club in Largs.
They also invested in Partick Thistle Football Club, which led to the youth set-up being rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of their Firhill Stadium being named the Colin Weir Stand.
In November of this year Mr Weir secured a majority shareholding at the club and promised to give the 55% shareholding directly to a fans group by March 2020.
The Weirs also made a donation of £1m to the Scottish independence campaign ahead of the 2014 referendum, and continued donating to the SNP afterwards.
Their £161m prize was the UK’s biggest win until October this year, when an anonymous ticket holder claimed a £170m jackpot.