An emotional telephone call in which it was confirmed a retired couple had become Lotto millionaires has been released.
Theresa Picton-Clark and husband John screamed with joy after matching five numbers and the Bonus Ball to win £1million in January 2021.
The newly-released call was made to the National Lottery Line – the hotline players call when they have just won big.
After making the call, 70-year-old Theresa, a champion ballroom dancer known as Terri, and John, 68, celebrated by enjoying five bottles of champagne and a waltz around the living room.
Terri, of from Lutterworth, Leics, said: “Even after a year I still have to pinch myself. I remember asking the lady on the phone at The National Lottery if it was a wind up.
“My head was spinning, I was crying, I felt free. In fact, listening back to the recording I did say I was going to liberate a bottle of champagne – and we ended up liberating a fair few more.”
Having paid out almost £3bn in major prizes over the years as Camelot’s senior winners’ adviser for the National Lottery, Andy Carter has seen every
reaction possible.
He said: “Unsurprisingly, we get to see a lot of happy people in our job, but their reactions certainly differ.
“Some people feel sick, some people jump up and down, some people are having a party when we arrive, others haven’t told a single soul – I’ve even had people fainting!
“I’ve been there with winners when they reveal to family and friends that they’ve won.
“Some put on their ‘telephone voice’ when calling us, while others like Terri and John just let all the emotion out.”
