A little over a week ago Joe and Jess Thwaite were facing months, maybe years, of renovating what was their dream home - a house in the Gloucestershire countryside with a bucket in the hall to catch the rain falling through the leaky roof.
But on what Jess said was a "normal husband-and-wife grumpy morning" on Wednesday 11 May, the couple's lives and their dreams for the future were changed.
Joe, 49, woke up at 5.15am and, after sorting out the couple's dogs, checked his phone to discover he had won £184,262,899.10 on EuroMillions - the UK's biggest ever lottery haul. "I looked at the amount and I put the phone down," he told a press conference near Cheltenham, hosted by the broadcaster Dermot O'Leary. "And I picked the phone up again, and I looked at the amount again.
"I first thought it was in thousands," he said, but then he "started counting the digits", adding: "Amazing, but also surreal."
This story is from the May 20, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 20, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Figures confirm last year ended in recession
Official figures have confirmed that the UK economy went into recession at the end of last year, after the latest estimate found it contracted in the last two quarters of 2023.
France backs bill to outlaw bias against hairstyles in workplace
France's lower house of parliament has backed a bill banning discrimination based on hairstyle, colour or texture, in a \"historic\" move supporters say will help penalise workplace discrimination.
US official quits saying Biden is hushing up evidence of Israeli abuse in Gaza Strip
A human rights official has resigned from the US state department over Gaza saying the Biden administration is flouting US law by continuing to arm Israel, and is hushing up evidence that the US has seen on Israeli human rights abuses.
Advance of IS affiliates could lead to new wave of terror, analysts warn
Islamic State (IS) remains defeated in its core strongholds of the Middle East but has made significant progress in Africa and parts of south Asia, winning territory and resources that could serve as a launchpad for a new campaign of extremist violence, analysts and officials believe.
Biden presidential campaign to raise $25m with one event
Joe Biden was set to appear on stage with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, his two most recent predecessors as Democratic presidents, in New York City last night, in an extravaganza the Biden election campaign said would raise a \"historic\" $25m (£20m).
India hits back after US criticises detention of Delhi chief minister
The chief minister of Delhi was remanded in custody for a further four days yesterday amid international criticism of his arrest on corruption charges last week.
Queer artists urge UK singer to boycott Eurovision over Israel
More than 450 queer artists, individuals and organisations have called on the UK's Eurovision contestant, Olly Alexander, to boycott this year's competition in solidarity with Palestine.
Fresh blow for Rwanda plan as report finds high poverty levels
New fears have arisen about the suitability of Rwanda as a destination to send UK asylum seekers after a damning government assessment about the prevalence of poverty and malnutrition in the country.
MSPs told to 'catch up with public' as assisted dying bill tabled in Scotland
Scotland could become the first part of the UK to offer terminally ill adults assistance to end their lives if Holyrood approves a new bill.
All-male policy branded a scandal as protest arrives at club's door
Protesters demanding women be admitted to the men-only Garrick Club have delivered an open letter to its members saying discrimination on the grounds of sex is \"nothing short of scandalous\".