UK man wins ₹80 crore lottery jackpot, returns to work fixing drains the next day

UK man won ₹80 crore in the jackpot. Despite his fortune, he returned to work unclogging drains the next day.

Published on: Jan 17, 2025, 18:25:37 IST

By Mahipal Singh Chouhan

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In a heartwarming story of life-changing fortune, 20-year-old trainee gas engineer from Carlisle has won a staggering £7.5 million ( ₹79.58 crore) Lotto jackpot. What makes his victory even more remarkable is the journey leading to it—James Clarkson had won £120 ( ₹12,676) on the National Lottery over Christmas and decided to reinvest his winnings in more tickets.

UK man won ₹80 crore Lotto jackpot but stayed grounded, returning to work unclogging drains the next day despite his massive win. (X)

(Also read: Employee wins ₹7.14 crore lottery at company event, asked to return the prize money)

A shocking morning revelation

James shared his extraordinary moment with The Metro, recounting how he discovered his life-altering win. “I was at my girlfriend’s house and got up early to check the snowfall. That’s when I saw a message on the National Lottery app saying I’d won. I thought it was a dream,” he said.

Uncertain about the message, James called his father for reassurance. “He calmly told me to come home so we could check together,” he explained. By 9 am, James and his family—his mum Becky, dad Stephen, and brother Thomas—were huddled around the phone as he called the National Lottery helpline.

“They confirmed it was the winning ticket,” James said. “I think I just started laughing. It felt surreal.”

Family celebrations and a humble roast dinner

News of James’ monumental win spread quickly among his close-knit family. The day was filled with visits to share the joyous announcement with loved ones. The celebrations culminated in a family gathering at his grandparents’ house, where they enjoyed roast beef and champagne.

(Also read: US woman bags over ₹40 lakh lottery jackpot with numbers she saw in a dream)

“I have a big family, and we’re all close. It was amazing to celebrate together,” James said.

Back to work the very next day

Despite the overnight transformation in his financial status, James remains committed to his work. By Monday morning, he was back on the job, unclogging drains in the freezing cold.

“It was a bit grim, but that’s reality,” he said, adding, “I’m too young to stop working. I want to stay grounded.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mahipal Singh Chouhan
Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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