Retired cancer survivor bags record £53m lottery win – but thought it was an 'April Fools'

A RETIRED couple who bagged £53m in one of Britain’s biggest ever lottery wins have told how they thought news of their win was an April Fools' prank.

Richard and Angela Maxwell have landed the 10th biggest National Lottery win everPA

Richard and Angela Maxwell have landed the 10th biggest National Lottery win ever

Richard and Angela Maxwell, both 67 and from Boston in Lincolnshire, banked £53,193,914 after winning the EuroMillions jackpot in Tuesday's draw.

Mr Maxwell, who battled prostate cancer eight years ago, described the multi-million pound sum as “life changing”.

The couple are now in 10th place on the National Lottery rich list and have revealed they plan to fly the whole family first-class to New Zealand.

The win puts the couple in a similar league to star Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard, who amassed the fortune during his 17 years at the club.

Mr Maxwell said he kept the news secret from his wife for four hours after discovering they had bagged the cash.

"I always keep our lottery tickets in the kitchen drawer so I took a break and went online to check the results," he added.

"I looked first at the two Lucky Stars and noticed we had those. 

"Then I scanned across to the first main number and immediately knew they all matched our numbers.

"I checked again and again, five times in total, as I couldn't believe it.

"Then I saw only one ticket had won 53 million and I was in shock. 

"I thought someone had scanned my ticket somehow and put it on the website as a joke. It was April Fool's Day after all."

Richard and Angela MaxwellPA

Mr Maxwell said he kept the news secret from his wife for four hours

I checked again and again, five times in total, as I couldn't believe it

Richard Maxwell

The pair said they also hoped to buy a new car as well as designer handbags and shoes. 

Mr Maxwell, who is now able to fully retire from his job as a consultant in the poultry industry, said: "It's a life-changing amount of money - £1 million would have been amazing but £53 million enables you to do so much, not just for you, but those around you.

"Our local community is really important to us, in particular helping young people in the area. The win will enable us to spend more time getting involved, as well as give financial support."

Wife Angela added: "I didn't know what to think. Richard just went red in the face and then said 'we've won £53 million'.

"I just said 'don't be stupid' - he's always playing jokes so I thought it was an April's Fool.

"I just didn't believe it, then he showed me the numbers on the website and I dropped the basket of tea towels on the floor. I then just sat down in the chair for about half-an-hour stunned."

The couple’s historic win follows news yesterday that another husband and wife duo from Scunthorpe beat odds of 283 billion to one to win a second EuroMillions jackpot. 

Dave and Kathleen Long, who still live in a static caravan, have won two £1million prizes in as many years. 

The record for the biggest ever National Lottery win is held by husband and wife Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in Ayrshire.

They claimed £161million in July 2011 to rank among Europe's biggest lottery winners.

Psychiatric nurse Mrs Weir and her husband, who worked as a TV cameraman and studio manager for 23 years, reportedly bought a fleet of cars for friends as well as a mansion with their winnings.

They are followed on the rich list by Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Haverhill, Suffolk, who won £148million in August 2012, and an anonymous ticket-holder who scooped £113million in October 2010.

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