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| 'This time tomorrow I'll be a millionaire': Man scoops €130m lottery prize after using Only Fools catchphrase (and his name is Trotter!) | 'This time tomorrow I'll be a millionaire': Man scoops €130m lottery prize after using Only Fools catchphrase (and his name is Trotter!) |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| He may prefer hot rod racers to a three-wheeler Robin Reliant, but the unveiling of today's multi-million pound lottery winner has already prompted comparisons with Del Boy and his Only Fools and Horses rags to riches story. | He may prefer hot rod racers to a three-wheeler Robin Reliant, but the unveiling of today's multi-million pound lottery winner has already prompted comparisons with Del Boy and his Only Fools and Horses rags to riches story. |
| Not only was the winner called Trotter, but he had also used a famous catchphrase from the show when speaking to his father on the day of his massive win. | |
| At a press conference this morning at Wotton House in Dorking, Surrey, Mr Trotter, from Coulsdon, said he was so confident he would win a prize he had told staff at his father's office last Friday lunchtime that "this time tomorrow" he would be a multi-millionaire. | At a press conference this morning at Wotton House in Dorking, Surrey, Mr Trotter, from Coulsdon, said he was so confident he would win a prize he had told staff at his father's office last Friday lunchtime that "this time tomorrow" he would be a multi-millionaire. |
| Mr Trotter, 41, scooped a massive £107.9 million becoming the National Lottery's fourth biggest winner on Friday night . | Mr Trotter, 41, scooped a massive £107.9 million becoming the National Lottery's fourth biggest winner on Friday night . |
| The lucky winner, who runs a repair garage in Mitcham, south London called Chameleon Coachworks, said: "I've always thought I'd win big and I'd had a good feeling all week. | The lucky winner, who runs a repair garage in Mitcham, south London called Chameleon Coachworks, said: "I've always thought I'd win big and I'd had a good feeling all week. |
| "On Friday evening we were sitting at home when I checked the time and thought the draw must have taken place by now. | "On Friday evening we were sitting at home when I checked the time and thought the draw must have taken place by now. |
| "I took out my ticket to check the winning numbers and amazingly one by one they matched. I told Nicky, my partner, 'I've done it, I've won the lottery'. But she told me to shut up and to stop being an idiot. | "I took out my ticket to check the winning numbers and amazingly one by one they matched. I told Nicky, my partner, 'I've done it, I've won the lottery'. But she told me to shut up and to stop being an idiot. |
| "Apparently I turned white as a sheet and couldn't sit still, I kept walking round the house - I didn't know what to do with myself. I got her to check the numbers with me and she started screaming! | "Apparently I turned white as a sheet and couldn't sit still, I kept walking round the house - I didn't know what to do with myself. I got her to check the numbers with me and she started screaming! |
| "Next we called my dad but he said I was being an idiot too and that I should stop drinking. But I hadn't had a drop. Even when we jumped in the car and drove round, it took him a while to realise we were serious. My dad's not often lost for words but he was on Friday night." | "Next we called my dad but he said I was being an idiot too and that I should stop drinking. But I hadn't had a drop. Even when we jumped in the car and drove round, it took him a while to realise we were serious. My dad's not often lost for words but he was on Friday night." |
| Neil and Nicky Ottaway, 33, his partner of eight years, finally headed for bed around 3am but had a restless night before calling Camelot first thing. | Neil and Nicky Ottaway, 33, his partner of eight years, finally headed for bed around 3am but had a restless night before calling Camelot first thing. |
| Mr Trotter is a self-confessed motor racing fanatic and came sixth last summer in the BMW Compact Cup as a newcomer. | |
| He now plans to hang up his car mechanic overalls and follow his passion for British touring car racing. | |
| He said: "I worked my last shift on Friday repairing and spraying other people's cars. | |
| "I have a few phone calls to make to let people down but this is my time now. I'm taking time off and going to really enjoy following the British Touring Car Championships. | |
| "It's my passion and I wouldn't mind a guest driver slot if I can find the right car. I was building one up until last week but I'm thinking of taking a rest from that too." | |
| He is also planning to replace his old oil-stained Ford with a fleet of supercars. | |
| "I drive a Ford Focus at the moment. It's always been reliable but the steering wheel is black from oil off my hands and it's time for an upgrade. | |
| "There are a lot of stunning cars out there - I'm going to need a lot of garage space at the new house. I would love to own a Hyper car - that would be amazing. Something like the McLaren, although I'm not sure how easy they are to get hold of." | |
| But first on the shopping list is a new home and it needs to include stables as well as those garages. | |
| Ms Ottaway, who works as an accounts assistant, loves riding and would love to buy a new horse or even two, plus a horse trailer. | |
| The couple also hope to holiday abroad - as soon as Mr Trotter has renewed his passport. | |
| Mr Trotter is aware that some people may joke about his surname and becoming a millionaire. | |
| He said: "Me and my dad thought we'd heard all the Only Fools and Horses jokes but I can see this is going to run and run. Still, being Trotters we were always going to be millionaires one day." | |
| A National Lottery spokesman said: "We're delighted Friday's ticket-holder has come forward to claim this amazing prize." | |
| "This massive win ranks fourth biggest on the National Lottery Rich list and is the first EuroMillions jackpot to be won here in the UK so far this year." | |
| The sum could help Mr Trotter buy his own Greek island such as Omfori, being advertised for just over £41 million, and a Lamborghini Veneno, one of the world's most expensive cars at a cost of £2.4 million, and still have plenty left to spend. | |
| Or he could splash most of the money in a single purchase to buy a 21-bedroom home in London's Mayfair, which is on the market for £90 million. Friday's winning numbers were 6, 24, 25, 27 and 30, with the lucky star numbers 5 and 9. | |
| Though a life-changing amount the win ranks as only the fourth highest ever in the UK. | |
| In July 2011 Colin and Christine Weir, from Largs, in Ayrshire became the largest jackpot winners in Britain when they scooped a massive £161million EuroMillions prize. | In July 2011 Colin and Christine Weir, from Largs, in Ayrshire became the largest jackpot winners in Britain when they scooped a massive £161million EuroMillions prize. |
| However, even that enormous amount is dwarfed by the biggest lottery win in history of $474m (£285.4m) in a US mega millions draw in March 2012. | However, even that enormous amount is dwarfed by the biggest lottery win in history of $474m (£285.4m) in a US mega millions draw in March 2012. |