Europe’s biggest-ever Lottery winners were today unveiled as husband and wife Colin and Chris Weir of Largs in Ayrshire, Scotland..
The couple scooped the EuroMillions £161 million (€185 million) jackpot on Tuesday night.
They banked the entire EuroMillions jackpot after several rollovers - a total of £161,653,000. The couple matched all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
The massive jackpot was capped at €185 million after a series of rollovers made it the largest ever in Europe. The winning numbers were 17, 19, 38, 42 and 45, and the Lucky Stars were 9 and 10.
The couple have been married for 30 years and have two children.
Mr Weir (64), who has worked as a TV cameraman and studio manager for 23 years, said: “When we first realised we had won, it felt like a dream. Everything went into slow motion. But it feels like a good thing; something we should not to be afraid of but for us to enjoy with the children.
“All our lives we have lived within our means and been comfortable. We appreciate that this money brings about a whole new life for us and our family," he said. “We now have so many new opportunities to explore but we won’t rush it. For us, it will be a gradual change with choices to be made.”
Mrs Weir (55), a psychiatric nurse, said they were having a normal night in front of the TV on Tuesday evening until she checked the EuroMillions result on Teletext.
“We were tickled pink. I even had a glass of white wine, which is something I normally only do at Christmas. It really is unbelievable.”
The couple are already thinking about new homes and cars for themselves but are most excited about the travel opportunities they can enjoy.
“For Colin, holidays have never really appealed with travelling being such a hassle for him but first- class could definitely persuade him," Mrs Weir said.
“We have both always wanted to see the Great Wall of China and Colin would love to stand at the foot of Ayers Rock in Australia. We also love art galleries so this gives us the chance to visit those in Paris and in Russia. These are all things we thought we would never see.”
The win will push the couple, who claimed their prize yesterday, into 430th place in this year's Sunday Times rich list, not far below David and Victoria Beckham, who have a combined fortune of £165 million.
Limerick woman Dolores McNamara remains Ireland's biggest lottery winner after scooping €115 million in the EuroMillions in 2005.
PA