I brushed off £130k Euromillions win as a MISTAKE after childhood prank – everyone was cheering while I burst into tears
AN ACCOUNTANT brushed off his six-figure lotto win as yet another prank, only to discover this time it was real.
Jonathan Aldridge, from Crawley, experienced the ultimate reversal of fortune after winning a staggering £133,173.20 EuroMillions prize.
But it’s no surprise that he was a little sceptical at first, considering his history with lottery “wins.”
When Jonathan was just six years old, his parents played a cruel April Fool’s prank, telling him they had won The National Lottery.
While his four brothers erupted in cheers, poor Jonathan burst into tears, dreading the thought of moving house.
The memory of that prank lingered, so when he received a message about his big win, he thought it was just another joke.
Jonathan recounted the moment, saying, “When my parents said we’d won the National Lottery, all four of my brothers were cheering and I burst into tears as I didn’t want to move house.
“The banter has continued since then. So, when I received a message about the win but couldn’t see a change in my funds on the National Lottery app I was a bit suspicious to say the least.”
His winning journey began with a couple of Lucky Dip tickets for EuroMillions, purchased using previous small winnings.
He told The National Lottery: “I had £5 in my account, so I decided to try my luck in the upcoming EuroMillions draw.
“The following morning I saw an email from The National Lottery with news about my ticket, and assumed it was £2.70 or maybe another fiver.”
Initially, Jonathan missed the message instructing him to call The National Lottery.
When he saw that his account balance hadn’t changed, he suspected another prank.
It wasn’t until he checked the actual ticket on the app that he realized the life-changing news.
He said: “It was only when I checked the actual ticket on the app that I spotted the best message ever, ‘you’ve won £133K’.”
Despite it being just 7.30am, Jonathan called his middle brother, who didn’t believe him at first.
What followed was a barrage of colourful language and plenty of laughter.
Jonathan then walked into his parents’ bedroom to deliver the magic words, “I think I’ve won the Lottery.”
Jonathan, who beat a rare form of cancer in his late teens, plans to use his windfall to live his best life, honouring fellow cancer sufferers – including his best friend – who weren’t as lucky.
He addeed: “I’m going to invest it wisely to build a bigger deposit for a home and hopefully travel some more.
“These are things that when I was lying in my hospital bed, I didn’t think would ever be possible.”
In a heartfelt gesture, Jonathan will also be making a donation to Young Lives Versus Cancer (formerly Clic Sargent), the charity that supported him through his battle.
And his brothers, who shaved their heads in solidarity when he lost his hair due to chemotherapy, will be sharing in his good fortune with a slap-up meal at a fancy restaurant.
From a childhood prank to a life-changing win, Jonathan Aldridge’s story is a heart-warming reminder that sometimes, the good guys do finish first.
UK'S biggest lottery winners
By Ethan Singh
- Anonymous winner – £195,707,000
A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time.
The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket.
- Joe and Jess Thwaite – £184,262,899.10
Britain’s previous EuroMillions record holders were Joe and Jess Thwaite.
The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children’s ponies.
Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news.
As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping.
Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children.
- Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000
Colin and Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe’s second-biggest winners until someone in Italy won a jackpot worth £193m in 2019.
They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck.
But at the time of Colin’s death in December 2019 his share of the prize money had dwindled by around £40m.
He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported.
Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years.
He left money for their children Carly and Jamie.
- Adrian and Gillian Brayford – £148,600,000
Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million.
But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win.
The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021.
After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge.
She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought.
It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year.
- Frances and Patrick Connolly – £114,969,775
Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot.
They scooped almost £115 million on New Year’s Day 2019.
She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family.
- Richard and Debbie Nuttall – £61,000,000
The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024.
Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win.
Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account.
Other eye-watering anonymous winners:
- 2019 – £123million
Another anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover.
- 2021 – £122million
Following nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April.
The successful participant chose to remain anonymous.
- 2018 – £121million
Another anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.
It seems Jonathon wasn’t wrong to remain suspicions until he confirmed the wins.
Thinking you’ve won the lottery only to realise it to not be the case can be quite devastating.
Wrapped up in the whirlwind of what they thought was a lotto fortune, one couple boasted they had won a hefty £182million on the EuroMillions.
But the excitement was short-lived once they were “disqualified” for a devastating reason.
Elsewhere, not all winners are quite so eager to splash the cash. One couple became overnight lottery millionaires after hitting The National Lottery jackpot.
However, instead of blowing their wins on first class flights, they continued their normal life and went straight back to work.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk