James Clarkson, a 20-year-old trainee gas engineer from Carlisle, says a life-changing lottery win won’t stop him from working—or finishing his qualifications.

Clarkson woke up on January 5 to check the weather, only to spot a notification on the National Lottery app telling him he had won £7,533,329. He had recently picked up £120 in the Lotto Christmas Day draw and used part of that money to buy two Lucky Dips and three sets of randomly selected numbers for the first draw of 2025. One of those quick picks matched all six main numbers.

He said the news didn’t sink in straight away. When he woke his girlfriend at 7.30am to tell her, she reportedly dismissed it and went back to sleep. Unsure himself, Clarkson called his dad, Stephen, who told him to come home. With his mum Becky and brother Thomas, he rang the Lottery line when it opened at 9am and got the confirmation: the ticket was the winner.

The family celebrated with a roast beef dinner and champagne at his grandparents’ home, but Clarkson was back at work by Monday, doing property maintenance in the cold. He said he’s too young to stop and wants to qualify as a heating engineer.

He has already booked an all-inclusive trip to Cape Verde and bought a few treats, including jackets and a Gucci bag for his girlfriend. Next on his list: a new car, possibly an Audi, and Manchester City season tickets. His main priority, he said, is paying off his parents’ mortgage so the whole family benefits.