A dad-of-three who was previously earning minimum wage has become a multi-millionaire overnight after winning a staggering £5.4m jackpot. Michael Clark has had an unforgettable start to 2023 after bagging the biggest payout in bookmaker Betfred's 56-year history while playing a slot game on a stake of just £1.40, the Mirror reports
The 32-year-old from Newcastle opened up about what the life changing win means for himself and his family's future. He met fiancée Sherelle Pooley, 27, while he was working in KFC said he could 'couldn't stop crying' when he realised how much he'd won as he reveals the couple can now 'easily afford to get married' and he can provide his family with a 'forever home'.
The lucky pair say they are now 'rich beyond our dreams' after they both grew up on a 'council estate and went to comprehensive school but have always tried to be kind to others'. Michael and Sherelle have already begun compiling a list of what they will do with the record-breaking jackpot win as he plans to treat his grandmother to a new stairlift in her home.
Michael has also promised his fiancée a brand new sparkling engagement ring. The couple also have plans for a lavish wedding reception at their beloved Newcastle United St James' Park home along with a luxurious honeymoon in Jamaica and are currently eyeing up a six-bedroom house in the countryside.
After earning minimum wage at a mental health unit, Michael says he will treat himself to a new Tesla car after he gets his licence as well as Newcastle United season tickets. The couple have also begun transforming their wardrobes in the midst of their new lifestyles as they splash out on the latest designer gear with Michael purchasing a suit for £1,000.
The humble couple have also shared some of their good fortune with a homeless man in Newcastle city centre and paid for him to stay the night in a hotel. Michael who won from a £1.40 spin on the King Kong slot game, recalls how he chanced his luck after he was feeling bored with all the post-Christmas TV repeats.
He said: “I was on it for probably 20 or 30 minutes or so and just kept on winning until I found myself playing for the jackpot. At first I thought we’d won £5,000, which was a great amount, but then I realised there were more numbers showing on my phone.
"I just couldn’t believe that I’d actually won so much. We thought it must have been a mistake at first, and then we started hugging each other when we realised it was real.
"I just couldn’t stop crying, and there was no way I was going to go to sleep that night having won such an enormous amount of money. Now we can easily afford to get married and buy our forever home in the countryside. Six bedrooms will do very nicely indeed."
Michael 'absolutely loved' his job but is taking some time away from work at the moment while Sherelle cares for her grandmother and told the pensioner 'not to worry'. Michael has now been nicknamed 'Micky Millions' said he will be replacing Sherelle's £1,000 engagement ring he gave her seven years ago.
He added: “It would be brilliant to have our wedding reception at St. James’ Park. The honeymoon will probably be in the Caribbean – maybe Jamaica – and we’ll be travelling first class. Sherelle has never been on a plane so we're already sorting out a passport for her.
“I’ve only got a provisional driving licence so I’ll be getting myself a few more lessons and then a new car, possibly a Tesla". However, the wise dad-of-three said he is 'absolutely determined that we don't waste the money, so that not just us but the next generations of our family can also flourish'.
The overjoyed couple have described their win as a 'total transformation of our lives' as Sherelle added: "We are so lucky to have a new and better life ahead of us."
The pair met while Michael was working in KFC and Sherelle was a regular customer before they became an official couple and bought a home together. However even after their win, the couple - who are now staying in a lavish city centre apartment - admit they are eating Greggs bacon sandwiches for breakfast and pot noodles.
Long-term, Michael is debating whether to get into the property development business which is something he discussed with Betfred boss Fred Done, who contacted him to congratulate him on his win and sent a couple of bottles of champagne to his home.
Michael added: “I’m just absolutely over the moon. You see these big prizes available and think nobody ever wins them. Well, they do… it’s me!
“It’s a case of trying to come to terms with the fact that I’ve won so much money. We are determined to stay grounded and not go too crazy… although we’re also determined to enjoy life to the fullest. I’m getting a bit of a taste for champagne now, but I still like a pint of dog which is what us Geordies call Newcastle Brown. The kids think they’re on an adventure and like us just can’t get a grip on what has happened.
“We’re just two very lucky people who were brought up on a council estate and went to comprehensive school, but have always tried to be kind to others… and now we are rich beyond our dreams.”
Betfred boss Fred said: "This proves nice guys can win. Michael is the most worthy of winners. It is brilliant news for this smashing couple."
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