National Lottery's urgent 'check tickets' appeal after £177m win

The UK ticket holder will become the third biggest National Lottery winner of all time when they claim their huge fortune

The National Lottery is urging the holder of the £177million EuroMillions ticket to come forward(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The National Lottery has sent out a call for UK residents to check their tickets promptly as one individual has scooped an eye-watering £177 million, becoming the third largest winner in National Lottery history. Tuesday’s winning digits were 07, 11, 25, 31, and 40 with Lucky Stars 09, 12.

Allwyn Entertainment, the firm operating the National Lottery, dubbed the event “a truly incredible night”. The excitement was palpable as Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at the outfit, said: “Wow, it has been a truly incredible night for a single UK ticket-holder who has scooped tonight’s jaw-dropping £177 million EuroMillions jackpot. The win has landed them a spot on The National Lottery’s Rich List, as they have become the third biggest National Lottery winner of all time.

“What a wonderful win right before Christmas, and we cannot wait to pay out this amazing prize. Players are urged to check their tickets and to give us a call if they think they are tonight’s lucky winner.”

Social media users, sharing thoughts on X – previously known as Twitter, reacted with surprise and a hint of jealousy over this life-changing win. Among the comments, someone wrote: “Congrats to lucky winner. Wish I’d bought a ticket now.”

The huge win comes as the National Lottery marked its 30th anniversary by achieving a fundraising milestone of £50bn for charitable causes. Since its inception on November 19, 1994, the games have consistently contributed upwards of £30m each week to various beneficiaries, reports the Mirror.

Over the past three decades, the National Lottery has funded significant projects such as the opening of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Eden Project, as well as the release of ‘This Is England’. The largest ever win was claimed by a fortunate Brit who chose to remain anonymous after winning the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million in July 2022.

This win made them wealthier than Adele, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. Additionally, the National Lottery has financed the production of over 600 films which have collectively won 551 awards, including 16 Oscars, 128 BAFTAs and 34 Cannes awards.