Exclusive
STEAK & CHEQUES
EuroMillions £184million winners Joe and Jess Thwaite reveal the incredibly normal way they celebrated their jackpot win
BRITAIN’S biggest EuroMillions winners celebrated their £184million jackpot with £16.95 steak and chips — and left a lucky tip.
Joe Thwaite, 49, and wife Jess, 44, had a meal with family and pals at a Miller & Carter restaurant in Gloucester after their win with a Lucky Dip.
9
A family source said: “They were in such a celebratory mood they left a sizeable tip.”
The couple went public yesterday after becoming Britain’s biggest EuroMillions winners.
Joe, 49, revealed how he initially kept the stunning win to himself — because he didn’t want to disturb his sleeping Jess, 44.
He bought the winning ticket online on Tuesday of last week and the next morning received an email with good news about their ticket.
9
9
He said: “I looked at the amount and at first thought it was thousands. I was excited because that would be life changing and pay the mortgage.
“I started counting the digits and at that point it was surreal and amazing. I just sat there.
“I didn’t want to wake Jess up, her alarm wasn’t due to go off so I thought I’d let her sleep. It was make believe at that point.”
Joe started browsing million pound mansions on property website Rightmove before informing his wife 45 minutes later.
Read more on EuroMillions
After her alarm went off at 6am he told her: “I’ve got a secret. I’ve got something to tell you.”
The stunned couple made coffee and decided to get on with their routine before ringing lottery operator Camelot at 8am.
They had to go to one of their children’s bedrooms to get a signal for the phone call that will change their lives forever.
Joe said: “I had to keep going over all our information for security checks. The woman on the other end of the phone said: 'You definitely have won'.”
Most read in The Sun
Yesterday the jubilant couple, who live near Gloucester, cracked open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate and received their cheque from TV presenter Dermot O’Leary.
They revealed they have so far only splashed out on a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers — and a simple celebration dinner of £16.95 steak and chips.
They could have bought 10,870,000 plates of rump with their record-breaking win.
Instead of a glitzy champagne bash the couple dined with their two children, pals and extended family at as Miller and Carter chain restaurant on a Gloucester trading estate.
They raised a glass in memory of Jess’s dad Tony Shearing, who died in 2015, and had always said: “Imagine if you won the Lottery.”
A family source said: "It was a low-key celebration, the Thwaites weren't popping champagne but they enjoyed the moment with their extended family.
“They were in such a celebratory mood — they left a sizeable tip.”
Jess said: “My dad played the Lottery when we were growing up and he played the same numbers every single week.
I had to keep going over all our information for security checks. The woman on the other end of the phone said: 'You definitely have won'.
Joe Thwaite
“Joe took on the baton as the one who did the Lottery for our family.
"So he started off using those numbers, but he'd forget them or get them wrong or something, so we then went to Lucky Dip.
“But yeah, it's unbelievable because that's what my dad dreamed of all his life.” The Thwaites currently live in a Grade II listed £650,000 four-bed home which they bought two months ago.
The pair said the win would pay for their leaky roof to be repaired and that they hope to take a foreign holiday soon.
Jess said: “Our children have always talked about going to Hawaii, I’ve no idea why but we can make that dream come true.
“They have always wanted a horse box for our ponies rather than the rundown trailer we use.
“Just to see their faces when we can make these things come true will be worth every penny.” Communication sales engineer Joe — who put in 11-hour days since the start of the pandemic — says he has now handed in his notice.
Jess helps her sister Becky Robinson, 38, run the Blow hair salon in Tewkesbury.
Last night Becky told The Sun how her sister helped keep the business afloat during the pandemic and that she should now enjoy a well-earned break.
She said: “My sister is an incredible person. She helps out with the business and worked so hard to make sure we are still here after Covid. I think she can afford to have some time off now.
Our children have always talked about going to Hawaii, I’ve no idea why but we can make that dream come true.
Jess Thwaite
"This really couldn't have happened to a nicer couple. They're such a lovely family and I'm so pleased for them."
Yesterday a sign at the salon said it would be closed until Monday.
Joe has been married to Jess for 11 years and has two children from his previous marriage with midwife Sara Frost, 50.
The Thwaites met while working for Midland Communications at their old offices in Upton upon Severn, Worcs.
Joe stressed there was no bad blood with his ex-wife, saying: "I had a long call with her — because obviously putting the children through university… she was over the moon, absolutely over the moon for them and what this can mean for the children going forwards.”
Neighbours near the Thwaites’ family home told The Sun they were delighted for the couple.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
Faith Cox, 75, said: “Jess is lovely, really bubbly, they seem like a great couple. I was blown away when I heard they’d won the lottery,”
Additional Reporting: Andy Robinson, Chris Pollard and Rob Pattinson
9
9
9
9
9
9
Topics