The number of millionaires created by the National Lottery hit 5,000 last month when David and Donna Stickley, from Slough, Berkshire, landed a £21million rollover jackpot.
Donna discovered their winnings after walking around with their ticket in her handbag for more than a week.
After checking the ticket during a shopping trip last Saturday - a week after buying it - Donna discovered they had won some money when she was told to call Camelot as the shop could not pay out prizes over £500
Ever since Lotto was launched way back in 1994, millions more of us have dreamed of scooping life-changing sums of cash.
But for some winners, the reality sadly failed to live up to the dream – with these 10 case studies from over the years.
Michael Carroll - £9.7million
Former binman Michael “Mickey” Carroll won £9.7million in 2002 at 19 while wearing an electronic tag – and set out on a path of chaotic self-destruction that nearly killed him.
The “King of Chavs” blew millions on cocaine, gambling, hookers and gold bling. He spent £700,00 on a house in Swaffham, Norfolk, and made a race track where his mates would deliberately smash up vehicles and set them ablaze.
He was given an ASBO for terrorising neighbours and was twice jailed for drugs offences and affray.
As his fortune drained away he sold the wrecked house for £140,000 and ended up working in a slaughterhouse.
He once admitted: “My crack dealer has more of my Lottery money than I do.”
Pete Kyle - £5.1million
Ex-soldier Pete Kyle won £5.1million in 2005 and vowed it would change his family’s life.
And for a while it did. The former Royal Artillery gunner, then 52, took relatives on lavish holidays and splashed out on boats, cars and a five-bed mansion with a bar and pool.
But he also made a series of bad investments and at one point was reportedly getting through £4,600 a day. By 2008 he was broke and living on benefits.
He moved into a budget guest house in Plymouth, where he earned his board and lodgings doing odd jobs for the owner – even as bailiffs were said to be knocking on the door of his luxury former home.
Keith and Louise Gough - £9million
When Keith and Louise Gough won £9million in 2005 they said they would “never have to worry again” – but instead disaster struck.
Within two years the couple had split up and within five Keith was dead from drink and stress. After their win the Goughs, from Bridgnorth,
Shropshire, bought a plush new home, a BMW and rented a box at Aston Villa. But Keith began
boozing out of boredom after quitting his bakery job and was
later conned out of £700,000. After his 27-year marriage had ended he said: “I loved Louise but
the Lottery ruined everything.”
Luke Pittard - £1.3million
Burger bar worker Luke Pittard did not have his life ruined or his dreams destroyed by winning £1.3million at 25 in 2006.
But he quickly realised there is more to happiness than money – and within two years he went back to work at McDonald’s because he missed his old mates.
He and his girlfriend Emma Cox had hung up their uniforms at the Cardiff branch where both worked after the big win.
They splashed out on a £230,000 home, an expensive wedding and a holiday to the Canaries.
But when Luke went back to flipping Big Macs for £5.85 an hour in 2008 he said: “To be honest, there’s only so much relaxing you can do.
“I’m only young and a bit of hard work never did anyone any harm.”
Roger and Lara Griffiths - £1.8million
Married couple Roger and Lara Griffiths won £1.8millon in 2005 but within six years their relationship had hit the skids and all the money was gone.
Roger, an IT technician and amateur musician, and teacher Lara both packed in their jobs straight after their win. They went on a spending spree that included five-star holidays and flash cars.
Lara splurged on botox injections while Roger covered his body in tattoos and spent £25,000 making a record with his old university band. They also invested in a beauty salon, bought a huge £670,000 mansion in Wetherby, West Yorks and sent their two daughters to a £10,000 a year private school.
But later they split up over affair allegations, their house burned down in a freak fire and Roger – who was in charge of the money– admitted that every penny of their fortune had been spent.
Callie Rogers - £1.8million
Shop worker Callie Rogers was Britain’s youngest lottery winner when she scooped £1.9million in 2003 at 16 – and her life immediately spiralled off the rails.
After quitting her £3.60-an-hour job as a Co-op checkout operator she blew at least £600,000 on cocaine, clothes, sports cars, exotic holidays, tattoos, parties and buying endless drinks for “friends”.
She did buy houses for herself and her mum but by 2013 she had only £2,000 left and tried to kill herself.
Callie, of Whitehaven, Cumbria, later described the win as a “curse”, saying she was far too young to bag such a huge sum.
Now a 30-year-old mother of three, she says she is much happier living a “normal life”.
John McGuinness - £10million
Hospital porter John McGuinness earned just £150 a week when he scooped £10million in 1997.
John, who was Scotland’s first lottery millionaire, gave £3million to his family and £750,000 to his ex-wife. He also splashed out on cars, holidays and spent £200,000 marrying his second wife.
But it was his £4million investment in his local football club in Livingston, West Lothian, that led to his downfall. The club later went into administration and, as John had guaranteed its loans, he was liable for its debts. He lost a bitter legal battle and was forced to sell property to cover his costs.
By 2009 John was a virtual recluse struggling to find enough money even for basic groceries.
Stuart Donnelly - £1.9million
When student Stuart Donnelly scooped £1.9m in 1997 aged just 17 he famously toasted his success with Coca-Cola because he was too young for champagne.
He abandoned his college course, took his friends on holiday to Thailand and bought a £2,000 executive seat to watch Glasgow football club Celtic.
He bought a house for his mother May and a secluded villa for himself and his disabled dad Daniel in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. He also gave thousands to a Glasgow hospital which treated his brother.
But after his dad died he was left devastated and cut himself off from the world.
He admitted on social networking site Bebo he had become a recluse, listing his activities as “sleeping, watching TV, listening to music, surfing the net. Basically anything that involves not leaving the house”.
In 2010 he was found dead inside his home, still only 29.
Mark Gardiner - £22million
Glazing boss Mark Gardiner and his partner Paul Maddison won £22million in 1995 – and their lives went down dramatically different routes.
Paul moved away from Hastings, East Sussex, to a life of seclusion in Scotland. But Mark went on a spending spree in the full glare of publicity and found himself surrounded by spite and jealousy.
He bought a £750,000 boat, seven Aston Martins and spent £2million rebuilding his house. But he claimed he was betrayed by those closest to him who made lurid claims.
Lee Ryan - £6.5million
Flashy Lee Ryan scooped £6.5million in 1995 – but ended up sleeping rough after blowing the lot.
After his win he and his then-girlfriend Karen Taylor moved their kids from a council house in Leicester to a £1million country mansion. Ryan bought a fleet of luxury motors, bikes, a private plane and even a helicopter.
But at the time he was awaiting trial for handling stolen cars and soon afterwards got 18 months in jail.
In 2003 Karen left him and he moved with a new girlfriend to the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, where he lost his last £2million in dodgy investments.