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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Molly Dowrick & Lottie Gibbons

National Lottery defends EuroMillions winners for revealing identities

The National Lottery issued a statement after a couple decided to reveal their identities after winning £184m in the EuroMillions draw.

Joe and Jess Thwaite, from Gloucester, scooped a record-breaking £184,262,899 with a Lucky Dip ticket in the draw on Tuesday, May 10. Joe, 49, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, 44, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two primary school-aged children.

Mrs Thwaite said: "The win gives us time to dream, which we haven't had before. We've had one week to think about this and we now have time to share lots of experiences and go on adventures with our family and friends. Our two children have always talked about going to Hawaii, I've no idea why but we can now make that dream come true.

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"They have always wanted a horsebox for our ponies rather than the run-down trailer we use. Just to see their faces when we can make these things come true will be worth every penny."

The record was previously held by an anonymous ticket-holder who banked £170 million in October 2019. The new record-breakers mark the second EuroMillions jackpot won in the UK this year, with the £109 million jackpot from the draw on February 4 claimed a few days later.

At a press conference on Thursday, Mrs Thwaite said even though it is "wonderful and exciting" it is also "a massive relief for everybody that's been struggling with all their bills and all their things for all this time".

She said: "We're like every normal family that has that thing so it's just a huge relief as well."

The couple said their financial situation is "not horrendous" but the cost of living crisis has "affected our lives". They said they have a lot of animals like ponies, geckos, chickens and dogs, with Mrs Thwaite saying: "We have too many things, we're too busy.

"We just want to create that kind of lifestyle for our children. We're right at the bottom because we've pushed everything to get this house and to have our ponies at home and that's been our dream."

According to the M.E.N, shortly after their identities were revealed, hundreds of people took to social media to share their congratulations - or to remark their surprise at the winners going public.

But in response to the questions, the National Lottery said: "Taking publicity can give the winner peace of mind and help to manage the circulation of the fantastic news. People may find out via social media, and winners may not be able to enjoy the experience if they have to keep such a big secret from their friends and family.

"If a winner does decide to go public, Camelot's [National Lottery operators] PR team will organise a press conference and handle all media interests for them so they can enjoy their win and relax.

"It is completely up to the winners as to whether they go public or not... It also stops their friends and family from feeling pressured to keep the win a secret too.

"In all consideration, it is a lot of money to conceal. People can feel more relieved knowing the knowledge of their win has been shared in a managed, controlled manner, allowing the winner to access their funds more freely without fear of raising suspicion."

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