£71m EuroMillions jackpot: Hereford’s Ade Goodchild revealed as winner
Published on: March 20, 2019
A factory worker who has scooped £71m in the EuroMillions lottery is quite happy to admit it “bloody well will” change his life.
Ade Goodchild, 58, was the only winner of the £71,057,439 prize on Friday.
He told a press conference he will retire after 24 years as a metal worker in Hereford, travel the world and buy a home with a swimming pool.
Being single, he denied he was suddenly more attractive overnight, saying “just my wallet is”.
Mr Goodchild is the 15th biggest winner in the history of the lottery.
He bought his ticket from the Co-Op store in Ledbury Road, Hereford, and initially thought he must be just one of many to share the jackpot.
Despite hearing the winning “ping” sound from the app on his phone when he checked his numbers, he had to look more than once.
“I read the prize amount again and realised that it was actually £71 million and just one winner – me,” he said.
“It was then that I called my mum and dad. Their reaction was one of complete shock – I still don’t think it’s sunk in for them.”
His dream holiday destinations include The Grand Canyon and the Pyramids.
“I’m not one of these winners who is going to say this win won’t change me,” he said.
“It bloody well will or at least I’ll give it a damn good go! There’ll be no more shift work for me.”
Mr Goodchild also said he has his eye on a house that will have a Jacuzzi along with the swimming pool.
Originally from South Wales, he celebrated by watching the Wales grand slam victory over Ireland in the Six Nations rugby championship, on Saturday.
“I am an only child and my parents have always been there for me. Like all parents, they worry about my mortgage, bills and how long I will have to work for,” he said.
“I’ve told my parents they can stop saving now and spend my inheritance.”
The winning numbers in Friday’s draw were 03, 15, 24, 42 and 46 and Lucky Star numbers were 09 and 12.
EuroMillions is played in eight countries outside the UK including Austria, Belgium, France, the Irish Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
