A lorry driver has revealed how he was forced to endure an agonising two-hour wait to confirm his ticket had made him a millionaire.
Gary MacDonald, 60, is celebrating with his partner Anita, 55, after scooping a life-changing £5.2 million Lotto jackpot - and described the moment he discovered his win as "difficult to make sense of" after initially thinking he had won just £35.
"Anita thought it was five thousand pounds, but I said: 'No love, it's more than that'," MacDonald explained.
The 60-year-olds winning journey began at 5.20am on a Thursday when he spotted an email from the National Lottery titled "Good news about your ticket".
Gary has admitted that adapting to life as a millionaire may take time after years of hard work
NATIONAL LOTTERY
The message revealed he had won £5,208,504 - and told him to call up the lottery at once.
He then had to wait several hours for the phone lines to open.
"That was the longest two and a half hours of my life," he said.
Once his win was confirmed, MacDonald shared the news with his family - but his daughter was convinced he was teasing her.
And despite their newfound wealth, Gary and Anita have kept their spending in check, splashing out only on a brand-new vacuum cleaner.
"We still shopped around for the best deal. We are not flash people. We are very down to earth and know the value of things," he said.
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Tying the knot in style is top of the couple's wish list after their windfall.
They had been planning a simple civil ceremony later in the year.
But thanks to the win, they're now organising a bigger celebration this summer.
"It's been a crazy few days, I can't believe everyone's reaction," MacDonald said.
A search for a new home is also underway for the lucky couple.
Gary and Anita hope to move away from the city to a property with a big garden, and are looking for a place with more bedrooms to accommodate family get-togethers.
The couple both share a passion for Formula 1, with Gary never missing a race on television.
"We follow all the British drivers. Even if the race starts at 3am, I'm up and watching it," he said.
The jackpot win will now allow them to indulge this passion by attending races at tracks across the world - a dream which has finally come true after years of only being able to watch the sport from home.
And Gary has admitted that adapting to life as a millionaire may take time after years of hard work.
"We have worked hard all our lives and never really had time for hobbies or pastimes," he said. "It will be amazing to have the time and money to treat ourselves a little and maybe try something new.
"Just this morning I thought: 'Maybe I might try lawn bowls'!"
