£181m to one

As a UK ticket-holder claims huge prize, we reflect on curse of the lotto

- FRANCES KINDON and SUE LEE

One UK winner is thanking their Lucky Stars after scooping the latest EuroMillions mega jackpot, pocketing a life-changing £181million.

At odds of one in 139 million, the now super-rich punter matched all five numbers plus the two bonus ones to join a host of fellow Britons who have struck gold over the years.

The mystery multimillionaire will be guided on how to invest by Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor at lottery operator Allwyn.

He said: "With that size fortune, this lucky winner would have wealth on a par with the likes of Adele [worth around 2170m). Just imagine the kind of lifestyle that could unlock!"

The latest jackpot is third on the all-time list, just behind Gloucester couple Joe and Jess Thwaite, who won 2184,262,899 in May 2022.

But while the Thwaites started their own investment fund and got on with their lives, for many winners landing a fortune became less of a dream and more of a nightmare.

Ex-postman Adrian Bayford won a 2148m EuroMillions jackpot in 2012 alongside his wife Gillian. Just 15 months later, she blamed it for ending their marriage while denying rumours of an affair, saying: "The money was supposed to make everybody happy. But it's made them demanding and greedy."

Gillian moved to Dundee, Scotland, while Adrian found love two months later with stable girl Sam Burbidge, 16 years his junior.

They met at the pub he now owns and got engaged after a six-week romance.