Lottery millionaire joins birthday bash

LOTTERY winners Tommy and Joan Cone celebrate their £4.2million jackpot

MILLIONAIRE Tommy Cone drank champagne at a bash to celebrate 15 years of the National Lottery.

But the down-to-earth rugby league fan, who scooped £4.2 million in 2003, admitted: “I’d sooner have a bottle of beer.”

The former Spindles security guard hit the jackpot after borrowing 50p from his wife, Joan, to put on three lucky dips.

The win came after he fought prostate cancer in 2000, while Joan was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.

Numbers

“I can’t remember the winning numbers — it was a lucky dip. I have got a copy of the ticket at home,” said Tommy (70), who plays the Lottery Thunderball nowadays.

“I put three lines on and I only had £2.50 so I had to borrow 50p from the missus. I have never paid her back! Someone must have been looking down on us.”

The couple moved from their council house in Holts to Saddleworth and enjoy many of the trappings of Lottery winners.

Tommy recently splashed out on a BMW X5 — despite not being able to drive — and said: “It’s a beaut. I have my grandson driving me about.”

But the pair who have three children, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren still remain down to earth and have backed many good causes.

They are regular supporters of the Christie Hospital, Manchester, and at Christmas they deliver presents to children at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Tommy still goes into Oldham every day and is a regular at Super League side St Helen’s, where he prefers to mix with the fans rather than sit in the directors’ box or hospitality section.

They are looking forward to a family Christmas followed by a holiday to Tenerife.

Tommy said: “I can pay my bills on time now, I can go away on holiday when I want. But it hasn’t changed me. I am still Tommy.

“I have spent a few bob but I still have a few bob in the bank.”

Tommy and Joan were among the North-West lottery winners who attended the birthday celebrations at Tatton Park.

There have been 589 jackpot winners in the region since November, 1994 — sharing £1,247,579,000 — with Brian Caswell, from Bolton, scooping the biggest win: £24.9 million in June, 2009.

Other Oldham winners over the years include Melvyn Eddison and his business partner John Biesty (£2.5 million), garage accounts clerk Jackie Green (£10 million) Brenda Scorer (£2 million) Bob and Joan Edminston (more than £3 million).

Royton postie John Topping was part of a 14-strong syndicate at the Manchester Mail Centre in Oldham Road which shared £9.35 million.

A lottery spokesman said: “It was great to catch up with Tommy and Joan and see how their lives have been changed since their win.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will create another millionaire in Oldham in this week’s Lotto draw!”