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LUCKY DRIP

Plumber who scooped £14million lottery win pictured on a call-out to fix boiler hours after win

For hardworking John Doherty it’s been business as usual since picking up his big-money cheque

A PLUMBER went back to work just hours after picking up his £14 million lottery winnings.

Hardworking John Doherty was pictured on a call out to fix a boiler after celebrating the huge win with his wife Alison.

 John fixed a busted boiler just hours after his win was announced
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John fixed a busted boiler just hours after his win was announcedCredit: News Group Newspapers
 John said he would like to work 'four days a week and Alison is thinking three days'
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John said he would like to work 'four days a week and Alison is thinking three days'Credit: PA:Press Association

The plumbing boss revealed it’s been business as usual since the couple picked up their big-money cheque on Tuesday.

John – who did manage a break for lunch – said: “I did a boiler breakdown straight after we went public.

“I’ve also been to three jobs this morning and I’ve got another after this.”

John, 52, of Elderslie, Scotland, added: “A few folk recognised me in the town.

“When I went for the papers, staff asked if I was getting them to see myself. Everyone’s been nice.”

He said there’s no chance he will swap his overalls for Champagne, caviar and luxury hols any time soon — because he thrives on his contact with customers.

He said: “They’ve all asked if I was carrying on because they want to keep me. They have treated me just the same since they heard about the win.

“I’ve had loads of messages from them wishing me the best of luck too.”

John — who launched JDPS Plumbers 30 years ago — admits he would be tempted to throw in the towel were it not for the fact he is his own boss.

He said: “I’ll probably slow down a wee bit but I still want to keep doing it.

“That’s because it’s mine — if I was working for someone else I’d be away.

“I’d like to go four days a week and Alison is thinking three days."

 The couple’s numbers came up after Alison, 50, let a punter ahead of her in the shop queue
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The couple’s numbers came up after Alison, 50, let a punter ahead of her in the shop queueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 They hid the jackpot ticket under a bedroom lantern before picking up their huge winnings
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They hid the jackpot ticket under a bedroom lantern before picking up their huge winningsCredit: PA:Press Association

The couple’s numbers came up after Alison, 50, let a punter ahead of her in the shop queue — then followed suit when he bought a lucky dip ticket.

Alison revealed that she only bought her £14.6million lucky dip ticket because she copied a customer in front of her.

She let the mystery man go first when they were called to the shop till at the same time.

Alison said: “I wasn’t there for the Lottery — I’d only gone to buy a litre of milk for John’s tea. There was a man next to me in the queue and when the assistant said ‘next please’ he said ‘you go’.

“I said ‘no, you were first’ and he asked for two lucky dips and that popped the idea into my head.”

The couple celebrated their £14,671,343 win with a £45 Domino’s Hawaiian pizza — and Alison bought a £300 Coach designer handbag.


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