'Just crazy' - Is mystery grandad who won £1million on the Lotto from South Tyneside?
A prize of £1million has been won by a grandfather living in Tyne and Wear. Could he be from South Tyneside?
A mystery grandfather from Tyne and Wear - who could be living in South Tyneside - is celebrating after a £10 National Lottery win turned out to be worth £1million.
The unnamed winner landed the life-changing prize in the Lotto Guaranteed Millionaire Raffle following the draw on Saturday, July 4.
Because his exact home town has not been revealed, the lucky ticket-holder could be from South Shields, Jarrow, Hebburn or elsewhere in South Tyneside.
The special draw saw a unique Millionaire Raffle code added to every Lotto ticket, with 10 matching ticket-holders each winning £1million.
The grandfather, who plays online, initially checked his numbers and noticed he had won £10.
He was then puzzled when he received an email asking him to call The National Lottery.
It was only after remembering the raffle code and checking his ticket more closely that he realised he had become a millionaire.
The winner said he struggled to believe the news until the money appeared in his account.
He said: “It’s just unbelievable. I had to wait to see the money in my account before I could really let myself get excited.
“To win on the Lotto Millionaire Raffle is just crazy.
“I always thought it would be my numbers that came up trumps, so to win this way has been the most wonderful surprise.”
He and his wife are now planning an exotic holiday to a destination which holds special meaning for them both.
Abbie Suddick, winners’ adviser at National Lottery operator Allwyn, congratulated the couple.
She said: “Congratulations to our lucky Tyne and Wear winner.
“He spotted a £10 win and had no idea a life-changing £1million was waiting for him thanks to his raffle code.
“We wish him and his wife a truly memorable holiday somewhere special, and all the very best for the future.”
Players who buy tickets online have them checked automatically and receive an email notification when they win a prize. Retail tickets can also be checked by scanning them through the National Lottery app.