Hear the amazing phone call confirming Stephen’s £1Million win
How would you react to the news you’d won a big prize on The National Lottery? Stephen Schiltz, a retired lorry driver living in Pontardawe, Wales, screamed, jumped up and down and even threw in a reference to the TV sitcom Only Fools And Horses.
You can hear Stephen’s emotional response to the news he’d won a £1Million windfall on EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker in a recording of the phone call released by The National Lottery.
Recalling the moment, Stephen said, “I nearly had a heart attack making that call! I felt a real mixture of emotions – it was excitement and disbelief and everything else rolled into one. I was screaming and jumping up and down.”
Andy Carter, Senior Winners Advisor at The National Lottery, said news of a big win triggered all sorts of reactions. He said, “Unsurprisingly, we get to see a lot of happy people in our job, but their reactions certainly differ. Some people feel sick, some people jump up and down, some people are having a party when we arrive, others haven't told a single soul – I've even had people fainting!
“I’ve been there with winners when they reveal to family and friends that they’ve won. That's lovely as it’s a very private moment for them and you can see the genuine shock and delight on people’s faces.”
After Stephen and his wife Lesley had come to terms with their good fortune, their thoughts quickly turned to their nearest and dearest. The couple have 6 children between them so they soon planned some treats for their kids.
The couple are also planning a dream holiday in Australia where they will visit several of Lesley’s relatives.
Research carried out by The National Lottery has revealed the top 10 things Brits would do if they found out they’d won a big prize.
- 1. Kiss my partner
- 2. Jump up and down
- 3. Scream
- 4. Burst into tears
- 5. Start working out who to give the money to
- 6. Call mum
- 7. Run around the house
- 8. Book a holiday
- 9. Dance
- 10. Sit in silence
Originally published 24th December 2019; updated 23rd September 2021
The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,000 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £30 million for good causes every week.
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