Hereford Man Has Big Plans For £71 Million Jackpot

Updated: Wednesday 20th March 2019

A factory worker from Hereford has gone public after claiming a EuroMillions jackpot of £71 million. Ade Goodchild, 58, told the media that he wants the big win to change him and he has already thought of a lot of exciting things to do with the money.

Goodchild found out that he had matched the winning numbers on Friday 15th March when he scanned his ticket on the National Lottery App. He initially thought that he had won £71,000 but then put his glasses on and discovered that his prize was actually worth eight figures. He rang his parents to share the good news, before quickly getting in touch with the National Lottery to stake his claim.

Celebrated With A Pizza

Having decided to share his story with the world rather than remain anonymous, Goodchild was presented with his giant cheque at a press conference at The Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern, Worcestershire, on Wednesday morning. He revealed that he had celebrated by having a takeaway pizza with his parents on Saturday afternoon, whilst watching the Wales v Ireland rugby match and drinking beer.

He is now looking forward to a bright future and had no intention of playing down what the money meant to him when asked by reporters. For starters, he will give up his job in the metal factory where he has worked for more than 20 years.

“I’m not one of these winners who is going to say this win won’t change me. It bloody well will or at least I’ll give it a damn good go,” said Goodchild. “There’ll be no more shift work for me. I want to travel, find myself a lovely new home, go to top sporting events, and try many other things besides.”

Pyramids, Jacuzzis and Chefs

The home he wants would have a swimming pool, jacuzzi and a large garden, while he also wants to travel to the Grand Canyon and see the pyramids in Egypt. One of his biggest wishes is also to share the money with his family, even if he kept the news a secret from some of them over the weekend.

“Me and my cousins often get together and the date was already in the diary last Sunday to meet for lunch,” he explained. “I must have come across very emotional but I couldn’t tell them about the win. I didn’t want to spoil our day! Most of them know now though. I am going to enjoy sitting down and chatting about how I might be able to help them.”

Goodchild, who now wants his own chef and chauffeur, is single and was asked whether he thought the money now made him a more ‘attractive’ romantic prospect. He said: “Anybody I think I couldn't have pulled before has got no chance, because I haven't suddenly become more attractive overnight - just my wallet has. I take people as I find them but like I say, I’m not a stupid man.”

Big Jackpots Every Week

The majority of other big EuroMillions winners have opted to keep their identities private, but both of the UK’s jackpot winners this year have now gone public. Frances and Patrick Connolly revealed back in January that they would be sharing the money with loved ones after winning £114 million.

If you want to try and follow in the footsteps of Goodchild or the Connollys, you can take part in EuroMillions twice a week to give yourself a chance of winning the next big jackpot. You can go to any authorised retailer in the UK or play online.

Published: Wednesday 20th March 2019

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