I won £1.3m National Lottery jackpot – but I ended up doing a very unglamorous job months later
A MAN who bagged a life-changing £1.3m in the lotto jackpot went back to flipping burgers at McDonald’s because he missed his mates.
Luke Pittard, 25, from Pontprennau, Cardiff was working at the Golden Arches when he won the incredible sum in the National Lottery draw back in 2006.
He was working alongside his girlfriend, Emma Cox, 29, but the couple handed in their notices after their winnings were revealed almost 20 years ago.
Luke purchased a swanky £230,000 property, a holiday in the Canary Islands and a lavish wedding for his love Emma.
But despite his new-found millionaire status, the honeymoon period wore off and Luke decided to return to the burger joint a year and a half later – and he was ecstatic to be back.
“They all think I’m a bit mad but I tell them there’s more to life than money,” he said at the time.
“I loved working at McDonald’s before I became a millionaire and I’m really enjoying being back there again.
“Lots of my old McDonald’s workmates came to our wedding and I had kept in touch with them all the time, so I just thought: ‘Why not go back?'”
The couple earn more each week in interest on their win than Mr Pittard brings home from McDonald’s.
Emma supported her husband’s decision to return to his old job – where he was earning £5.85 an hour.
“I can totally understand it,” she said.
“We both really enjoyed working at McDonald’s and still have good friends there.
“So it was really familiar for him and something for him to look forward to.”
McDonald’s manager Katherine Jones was also overjoyed to see Luke wearing his grey uniform again.
She said: “Luke was always a great member of our team and when he won the lottery we were all so pleased for him.
“I’m glad he has had the time to enjoy his winnings but love having him here – it’s as if he never went away.”