Last two biggest EuroMillions-winning couples divorced within years of jackpot as single ticket-holder claims £170m prize
THE last two couples who won big on the EuroMillions divorced within years of claiming the prize - as a single British ticket-holder came forward to bag a huge £170million today.
Colin and Christine Weir, who won £161million in 2011, and Adrian and Gillian Bayford, who won £148million in 2012, are now no longer together.
This week saw a record-breaking win for another Brit, with the country's biggest ever winner coming forward today to claim the prize.
The lucky punter matched all five main numbers - 07, 10, 15, 44, 49 - as well as the two lucky stars - 03, 12 - in Tuesday night's draw.
Camelot said there would be no information on whether the winner is an individual or a syndicate, or where the ticket was bought, unless the ticket-holder decides to go public.
But two couples who did go public, the Weirs and the Bayfords, ended up splitting after banking the huge win.
Last month we told how the Weirs were granted a quickie divorce after 38 years of marriage.
Papers revealed this week that the moneybags pair’s split was finalised during the summer.
The split follows fellow lotto winners' The Bayford's break-up just 15 months after winning £148million.
The move at the Court of Session in Edinburgh came just days after Christine, 62, put their mansion on the market in May.
'DRIFTED APART'
The couple announced they planned to split “amicably” the month previously.
We told how friends of the Weirs — whose £161million EuroMillions prize was Britain’s biggest ever — feared their marriage was in trouble when they stopped going to events together.
Colin, 71, and Christine, 62, who took home the jackpot in 2011 had been married for 38 years before being hit by the curse of the lottery.
Pals said Partick Thistle fan Colin, 71, began attending games alone, while Christine made solo appearances at charity events. Sources said the Weirs, from Largs, Ayrshire, “drifted apart”.
Last August Colin signed over £3million Frognal House in Troon to Christine — and she sold it weeks later.
In April the pair announced they were filing for divorce and released a statement. It's thought they were living apart for nearly a year.
Pals said it was an "open secret" they had drifted apart and locals have known for months that their marriage was on the rocks.
It also emerged the couple owned separate mansions after Colin signed over a property the couple had bought together in Troon to his wife.
He bought a £1.5m waterfront home a few miles away while Christine, 62, - known as Chris - had sole ownership of £3m Frognal House in Troon.
MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS
A local previously said: “The suggestion is that they’ve been apart for many, many months.
“People in their hometown of Largs had been talking about the rumours of their split as far back as last summer.
“It’s been a bit of an open secret to some people in that area.
“People that know them have said they seem to have just drifted apart.
“It’s a real shame because they’ve obviously been through so much together.”
In April, the couple, who have two grown-up kids, issued a statement to the Sun confirming they had decided to call time on their union.
It said: “It is with deep regret that Chris and Colin Weir confirm they have been living apart for some time and intend to divorce amicably.
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“They ask that the family’s privacy is respected and this time and there will be no further comment.”
Adrian, 48, was dumped by his next two squeezes and Gillian, 46, married convicted conman Brian Dean in August 2018.
Bayford and wife Gillian split just 15 months after winning £148million in 2012.
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