The UK's biggest lottery winners: where are they now?

When metal factory worker Ade Goodchild became the 15th biggest EuroMillions winner in history this week he was adamant about his future: £71 million “bloody well will” change my life, he said.

And for many British winners who have previously received a lottery windfall, the cash has no doubt had a big impact.

But, long after the champagne has popped and a novelty sized cheque handed over, some winners say they wish it had never happened to them.

Mr Goodchild, from Hereford, celebrated his win with a takeaway pizza and spicy chicken wings, washed down with Italian beer.

He said he plans to spend the money on a new home, travel, and going to top sporting events. His new home will have a swimming pool with staff, he said.

Here are some of the UK's big winners who chose to go public and how their lives have changed:

Colin and Christine Weir

Coline and Christine Weir became two of Scotland’s richest people in 2011 when they won one of the biggest jackpots in British history: £161 million.

Mrs Weir, 55, a psychiatric nurse and Mr Weir, 64, a TV cameraman and studio manager, were catapulted onto the Sunday Times Rich List after their win.

They first splashed out on a holiday to Spain, a mansion, which they later sold and upgraded to one nearby, and a fleet of cars. They cleared their debts and launched the Weir Trust, a philanthropic venture to support Scottish charities and groups to help their local communities.

The couple also became big donors to the SNP, donating over £3 million to the party.

Adrian and Gillian Bayford

After Adrian and Gillian Bayford's huge £148 million win in 2012, they told reporters that their newfound financial security meant they could now enjoy spending more time together.

But, it was short lived. The couple, from Haverhill, Suffolk, separated months after the windfall.

The pair have each returned to work. Ms Bayford, a former nurse, now invests heavily in property and Mr Bayford went on to own a store that sells music and film memorabilia.

Sue Richards

Sue Richards £3 million win from a scratch card was relatively modest compared to some of her UK counterparts.

But although it would have been enough to afford her an early retirement from her job as a carer, she still works 90 hour weeks.

Ms Richards spent her cash on a new home in Essex, four new cars, a motor home, holidays abroad and helped her children onto the property ladder.

In 2018, to mark the anniversary of her win, she had the image of a bottle of champagne mown into her lawn.

Jane Restorick

Jane Restorick became Britain’s youngest Euromillions millionaire in 2013 when she won £1 million at 17-years-old.

Previously known as Jane Park, the then teenager, who was living in a flat in Edinburgh at the time, announced her win on Facebook with a string of surprised face emojis.

While at first she splashed out on a Chihuahua dog and a Louis Vuitton handbag, she later told BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire in 2017 that she sometimes wished she had never won the money.

"My worst days are usually money situations or something money-related," she said.

She added that it was a "ridiculous amount to have at such a young age, with no guidance" and there had been expectations that she help friends or family with money problems, which she found “stressful.”

Melissa Ede

Melissa Ede’s bank balance went from “£1 to £4 million in three days,” she told the BBC’s Mike Thomson in 2017.

While she was able to go from working night shifts as a taxi driver, living day by day, to buying a house she said money doesn't solve everything.

Ms Ede, a transgender woman from Hull, said she still faced discrimination.

"Everybody thinks that having money solves everything. I'm living proof it doesn't," she said.