Winner of £71m says EuroMillions jackpot WILL change his life

A factory worker has quit his job and is planning a spending spree after insisting his £71 million EuroMillions jackpot win will change his life.

Ade Goodchild, 58, from Hereford, has his eye on a new house with a jacuzzi, “a few staff” and dream holidays to the Grand Canyon and the Pyramids.

After going public with his win on Wednesday, he said: “I’m not one of these winners who is going to say this win won’t change me. It bloody well will, or at least I’ll give it a damn good go.

“There’ll be no more shift work for me. I want to travel, find myself a lovely new home, go to top sporting events, and try many other things besides.

“I’m not a gardener but I’d like a bit of space for the dogs and a nice spot for my hammock on sunny days, so it would be good to have someone to take care of the view for me. I think I could also get used to a driver and even my own cook.”

Mr Goodchild, who is handing in his notice after working for more than 24 years at a metal factory in Hereford, will spend some of his windfall on his family, who are originally from South Wales.

He said: “I am an only child and my parents have always been there for me. Like all parents, they worry about my mortgage, bills and how long I will have to work for. I’ve told my parents they can stop saving now and spend my inheritance.”

Mr Goodchild, who is single, was asked by reporters if he thought the money made him a more “attractive” romantic prospect.

He replied: “Anybody I think I couldn’t have pulled before has got no chance, because I haven’t suddenly become more attractive overnight – just my wallet has.”

Swigging champagne as he celebrated at a hotel in Great Malvern, Worcestershire, he added: “I take people as I find them but, like I say, I’m not a stupid man.

“I have done stupid things; luckily I’ve learned from them.”

He marked his win on Saturday by watching the Wales v Ireland Six Nations rugby match on television with his parents, with a takeaway pizza, spicy chicken wings and beer.

He said: “I don’t normally check my ticket until Monday but I had an urge early Saturday morning and decided to scan my ticket on the National Lottery App. It gave me the winning ‘ping’ sound and I thought I might have won a fiver or something.

“But when I checked I thought hang on, it looks like I’ve won £71,000. I put my glasses on to double check, and then spotted that it was the jackpot prize and that all my numbers were circled. I thought wow, a lot of people have shared the jackpot this week but fair play.

He bought his winning ticket from The Co-op on Ledbury Road in Hereford.

The winning numbers from the draw on Friday March 15 were 03, 15, 24, 42, 46, and Lucky Stars 09 and 12.