National Lottery winner reveals first purchase after bagging jackpot just days after downloading app
A Herefordshire lottery winner has revealed his surprisingly modest first purchase after scooping a £1million jackpot.
Neil Leighton, 26, won the life-changing sum on a National Lottery Instant Win Game in 2023.
Despite becoming an instant millionaire, Leighton’s initial splurge was a humble ham, cheese, and salami sandwich from the popular sandwich chain.
The winner’s story has come to light as part of the National Lottery’s 30-year celebrations, where he joined other millionaire winners for a special photoshoot with renowned photographer Rankin.
Leighton had only downloaded the National Lottery app a couple of days before hitting the jackpot.
The portrait session included winners who have collectively won £190million over the years.
While his first purchase was modest, Leighton later decided to splash out on a more extravagant expenditure, treating 13 of his friends to a luxury villa holiday in Greece, costing £30,000.
“It cost £30,000 but it would have been wrong not to do something really fun before sensible Neil took over,” he said.
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Following his holiday splurge, Leighton made more practical financial decisions, including a four-bedroom house located near his parents’ home – but his mother even still cooks him dinner.
Fellow Herefordshire lottery winner Matt Myles took a different approach with his first purchase after becoming a millionaire in 2014, immediately organising a “lads’ holiday” with 13 of his best friends.
Myles described his initial year as a millionaire as going “a bit wild”, saying: “It was like a last dance and I don’t regret any of it.”
His celebrations included an extensive world tour spanning multiple destinations, from Bali, Thailand to Brazil and Ibiza.
Ten years after his win, Myles’ life now centres around his family, as he now lives with his wife Stacey and their two sons in a converted chapel.
“One of my sons is autistic, so we bought land around our converted chapel and built him a playground,” he explained.
“The National Lottery win has helped me to be a much better husband and dad,” he added.
Still today, he keeps his giant lottery cheque in his shed, stored beside his ride-on mower, serving as a constant reminder of his luck.