A BAKER awoke at 4am for an early morning shift at work -- and discovered he had won the £4.1million lottery jackpot.
David Russell, aged 27, from Westhoughton, checked Wednesday's result on his television and could not believe his eyes when his lucky dip numbers came up on the screen.
He said: "It did not really sink in at first. I must have been in shock as I was just looking at the screen and rubbing my eyes."
David, a baker at Tesco in Chorley, ran into his parent's Anne and David's bedroom for a second opinion before setting off for work. He managed to keep his multi-millionaire secret to himself all day.
He bought the winning ticket from work independently on Monday, despite being in a syndicate with colleagues for six years.
David, who is single and lives with his parents, added: "I did a full day's work keeping it all to myself but it was very hard. I did not want to do anything before it had been confirmed by the lottery." He resigned yesterday.
He added: "My boss was really pleased for me and that was it. It is an unbelievable feeling and I am gobsmacked. To be a millionaire is a brilliant feeling.
"I normally watch the draw, but I didn't on Wednesday because I went to bed early because of work. A car has now got to be the first thing and obviously I will buy my parents something."
Holidays and golf clubs are also on the list, although he has vowed to donate some of the cash to charity.
He has worked for Tesco since he left school, beginning at the Horwich store.
Father David, a 59-year-old retired chief inspector with Greater Manchester Police, said: "He is not a very good money manager, but I think he will learn fast now that he has got some to manage!"
His mother Anne, aged 60, is a retired teacher.
David received his cheque yesterday in a ceremony at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground, where he was a season ticket holder.
The winning numbers were 2, 13, 20, 36, 37, 40 and bonus ball 34. The exact sum was £4,128,013.
He was the only jackpot winner on the night.
Today's news comes after a mystery Bolton punter scooped £16 million in a draw in January. The winning ticket, the sixth largest jackpot ever, was sold at a newsagents in Morris Green. But Lottery chiefs remained tight-lipped yesterday over the multi-millionaire's identity.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article