LOTTO LUCK
I scooped £1million but almost got nothing after throwing ticket in the bin – I thought I’d won just £2
Everything turned upside down again for the couple just two years later
A LUCKY lotto player thought he'd only won £2 but was gobsmacked to discover an eye-watering £1MILLION jackpot.
David Long and his wife Kathleen nearly lost out on the life-changing windfall after the retired HGV driver threw what he thought was a dud ticket in the bin.
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In an incredible twist of fate, David dug out his EuroMillions numbers because he needed a newspaper he'd chucked away earlier.
He explained: "I had to fish the ticket out of the bin that time and found when I got to the shop that it was worth a heck of a lot more.
"That win was fantastic and couldn't have come at a better time."
The Scunthorpe couple celebrated their win in 2013 and finally tied the knot after a 12-year engagement.
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Kath splashed her cash on a hen do in Ibiza, while her husband-to-be enjoyed his stag night at the pub in which he'd proposed.
Despite bagging £1million, the newlyweds spent a modest £12,000 on their ceremony.
However, they did rightly splurge on a new car, took early retirement and treated their family.
BEATING THE ODDS
But, everything turned upside down again for the couple just two years later.
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I nearly missed out on EuroMillions win when I lost ticket - but lucky sign at a play saved the cash from going begging
Astonishingly, David beat odds of more than 283 billion to one, and scooped the £1million prize for the second time.
He won in the random EuroMillions Maker draw – a bonus raffle in which a computer generates a combination of three letters and six numbers.
Despite being a nearly impossible feat, the retired HGV driver claimed he "knew it would be my turn again some day".
"Now it has and we just can't believe it," he said.
The intuitive player even "had a feeling" he would bag the first jackpot.
David said: "I always knew I'd win, even the first time. I tend to play when I know there are lots of prizes on the go.
"Last time I knew I had a good chance because there were 100 prizes of £1 million."
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Speaking of his second victory, the lucky punter said: "Last Friday night I was passing the local shop and saw there were 10 £1 million prizes on EuroMillions and a nice car and thought yeah I'll give that a go."
He played his usual numbers and watched the draw reveal on Saturday morning.
Similar to his last experience, David thought he'd only scooped a measly £7.20 - but he learnt from his mistake.
"Then I checked the raffle codes- something I've learnt to do automatically since winning last time," he continued.
"After a few moments I very calmly called Kath in and said 'Have a look at this. It's there. Look. Read that line'."
When Kath double checked the numbers, she said: "You said you'd do it again and you have!"
David admitted "everything has been a blur since".
"It's definitely taking longer to sink in this time," he added.
To sweeten the deal, the pair also bagged a luxury car.
STAYING GROUNDED
Although David and Kath raked in two £1million EuroMillion jackpots, they still live in their static caravan.
They dipped into their pot and bought David's mum Joan a similar home.
The couple have also avoided jetting off for a lavish honeymoon overseas - because no amount of cash can cure David's fear of flying.
He admitted: “I’ve tried it twice and I don’t like it.
“Kath would love me to book a Mediterranean cruise and I think I have run out of excuses.”
And, with all their happiness, Kath did confess her husband has struggled to adjust at times.
She explained: “I think it’s the fact he’s got nothing to get up for in the morning.”
But David vows he will keep playing - because a nagging inkling tells him there could be a third EuroMillions scoop.
“I’ll keep on with it. And I’ve got a feeling I’m going to win again," he said.
It comes as other winners have nearly lost it all when they misread their results.
Ian Anderson, 77, and wife Marlyn, 70, thought they'd only bagged £1,000 - but had actually scooped £1million.
Meanwhile, another couple nearly dismissed their win as a meagre £2.50.
Richard and Debbie Nuttall, both 54, from Colne, Lancashire, actually took home a whopping £61million.
But, the pair have been embroiled in drama ever since.
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