Inside curse that destroyed the lives of those who become overnight millionaires
Winning millions on the lottery can be a life-changing event for many people, but becoming millionaires overnight also comes with some risks if you lose track of your cash and your spending habits get out of control.
There are plenty of jackpot winners who put their huge fortunes to good use for themselves and the community, but this is not always the case. While scooping a huge prize does not mean you will face negative consequences in the long term, there have been plenty of stories about the "curse" of the lottery, with some previous winners saying how their huge fortune became a burden, leading to poverty, prison sentences and even death.
Some winners who lost it all say they are glad that their huge fortunes have disappeared - as it ended up becoming a nightmare. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest National Lottery scandals.
The couple later got divorced (SWNS.COM)Colin and Christine Weir
Colin Weir and his wife Christine won £161million on EuroMillions back in 2011, becoming Scotland's biggest-ever Lotto winners and spreading their wealth, donating huge amounts to important causes. Colin also invested in his favourite football club, Partick Thistle, and also bought a slew of cars and properties. The couple shared their fortune with friends and charitable trusts, but split in April 2019, after 38 years together.
Sadly, Colin died from sepsis in December 2019 at which time his fortune had shrunk by £40million. Before his death, he had shrewdly bought a 55 per cent stake in Partick Thistle so he could donate the club to the fans and ensure it was kept in the hands of the local community. At the time of his death, he lived in a £1.1million five-bedroom seafront home in Ayr, which he bought in June 2018 after his marriage split.
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Adrian and Gillian Bayford
Adrian and Gillian Bayford won an incredible £148million on the lottery in 2012 - but less than 18 months later, they split and misery followed, with the couple partly blaming stress from their huge win. Ever since their win, they've both attracted attention for their following relationships.
His stable girl fiance Samantha Burbidge, 30, left him in 2017 and then he was dumped by waitress Lisa Kemp after she found messages to former flame Marta Jarosz. Adrian was dumped by ex-horse groom Samantha Burbidge, who is 16 years his junior, in 2017, and waitress Lisa Kemp dumped him over saucy messages to his ex.
In 2020, Gillian was convicted of threatening her ex-lover Gavin Innes during their relationship, which ended in 2017. But a trial revealed that the mother-of-two had been subjected to a horrific campaign of online abuse and false allegations to social work, her golf club and a children’s charity.
She went on to marry Brian Deans in 2018, who was previously convicted after stealing more than £13,500 from Tesco in a con involving putting through fake customer refunds. "I've known from the very beginning and it doesn't bother me," Gillian said after their wedding. "Everyone has a past but you can't live in the past. You've got to move on."
Adrian Bayford and wife Gillian who later separated (SWNS.COM)Mark Goodram and Jon-Ross Watson
Mark Goodram, 38, and Jon-Ross Watson, 34, made national news in 2019 after hitting the jackpot from a £10 scratch card. However, Camelot refused to hand over the winnings when officials learned the debit card used to buy the scratch card did not belong to either of the men.
The pair were accused of buying five scratchcards, including the jackpot winner, without the consent of the credit cardholder. The lottery louts both denied three counts of fraud but changed their pleas to guilty as their trial at Bolton Crown Court was due to start.
Mark Goodram was also jailed (SWNS.com)In 2021, Recorder Sarah Johnston sentenced Goodram to 19 months in prison and Watson to 18 months. She told the pair: "You must have thought all your Christmases had come at once. Your offending is rooted in greed and a total lack of respect for the property of others."
Jon-Ross Watson, 31, was sentenced to 18 months in prisonMichael Carroll
Michael Carroll was still wearing an electronic tag and working as a binman when he claimed a £9.7million winning ticket in 2002, aged just 19. But his struggles with addiction saw him squander his fortune on booze, brothers, sex parties and expensive cars.
The former millionaire was eventually left homeless, bankrupt, and divorced after his wife left him. Despite losing his fortune and being forced to return to manual labour, Carroll insists he wouldn't do anything different, saying that winning the lottery: "was the best 10 years of my life for a pound".
He added: "I don't look back with any regrets, that's for sure, I wouldn't want to turn the clock back." He is now reportedly living a quiet life.
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Michael Carroll won the lottery at the age of 19 (PA)Lee Ryan
Lee Ryan won £6.5million in 1995 while he was awaiting trial for handling stolen cars. After his win, he went through two divorces and was sleeping on the streets for two years after spending his winnings on luxury cars, a helicopter and a £2million mansion. He was later jailed for handling stolen cars and said his jackpot was "cursed".
Jane Park
The UK's s youngest Euromillions winner, Jane Park won £1million jackpot - but now says life was easier before her big win. She even offered to pay someone £60,000 a year to date her, after struggling to find a suitable partner. She previously said: "At times it feels like winning the lottery has ruined my life. I thought it would make it 10 times better but it’s made it 10 times worse."
Appearing on Dr Phil in the US, Jane explained she was "encouraged" to go public because of how young she was when she won the lottery and the fact it was almost "unheard". After being asked how she handled her huge fortune at such a young age, Jane replied: "I splashed out a bit because I never knew the value of a million pounds, I'd never seen that kind of money. I never knew anyone with that kind of money, so I kind of splashed out on stuff that I've always wanted."
Jane Park was only 17 when she scooped £1million in the 2013 EuroMillions (PA)Jason and Victoria Jones
The couple had only been wed for 12 months when they won £2.3million win in 2004. But 12 years later, they said the fortune had ruined their lives - despite owning a luxury home, sports car and impressive property portfolio in Devizes, Wiltshire.
They split in 2016, with Victoria speaking frankly about the stress. She said: "It’s probably one of the worst things that’s ever happened to me. Without a shadow of a doubt. The stress it gives you in life and even 12 years down the line, I’m still classed as a lottery winner and it’s horrible. It ruins your life. People treat you differently – it’s just not a nice thing."
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