Includes video report
A couple from Bristol have become the oldest winners of the UK lottery, after claiming an £18 million (US$24.9 million) jackpot.
Speaking at a hotel in Gloucestershire on Tuesday as they announced their good fortune, Dennis Banfield, 87, became emotional as he tried to describe what the win meant to him. He added that he and his wife, Shirley, 83, will share their winnings with their daughters.
Banfield, who was in hospital over Christmas following an operation for a leg infection, said his daughters, Tina and Karen, would get more benefit from the money, but if he could help anyone else he would.
Shirley Banfield bought the family ticket at their local newsagent in Bristol, opting for one line of Lucky Dip numbers for the Lotto on Saturday night. Her husband said they found out they had won the following morning when she read out the numbers, commenting: "Who'd have those numbers?" He was able to say "I do".
Speaking about what they might buy with the windfall, of £18,139,352, Shirley Banfield, who worked as a local government officer and as a shop assistant before her retirement, said they might replace their three-door Nissan Micra with something a little roomier but "not a Ferrari or a Maserati".
She added that they might swap their three-bedroom house of 57 years for a bungalow but it would still have to have space for a workshop for her husband, a keen amateur carpenter.
The windfall will be split three ways, with each sister taking a third and the parents sharing theirs.
VIDEO: Watch the news conference
Thanks to dannyct for the tip.
I hope hey get to enjoy it for many years.
Always like heartwarming stories like these; so rare anymore.
Dennis Banfield, 87, was born in 1931. He was eight years old when WW 2 began. Shirley Banfield was born four years later in 1935 and was four years old when WW 2 began. Dennis may have some war stories and maybe even Shirley might have memories of those difficult times in Great Britain.
Congratulations to their family.
Awesome!
Did they take the annuity?
On the US misrepresents the value of a lottery jackpot.
Congrats to the Banfields. I can see Dennis getting emotional over the win. The guy could have been playing for decades, losing all those years, ends up in hospital & then he hears this " really good news." He earned it. Almost all the friends l speak to, say they play not only for themselves, but family! His legacy is intact.
Let's see. Unless you thinking of still collecting a cheque from the lottery at 120 years of age...
I think prizes are tax free in the UK, like in Norway and pay out the whole prize.
In the Uk we don't have an annuity option, its a straight cash prize.
Is MillionsWanted correct Stevebfd, your payouts are Tax Free?
Hello?
Payouts are indeed tax free.
So happy for them! Never give Up!
It is a beautiful story, I just think it was unwise to go public. Did they get professional legal and financial advice before they claimed their prize? It they did, they either didn't listen to the advice, or it was very bad advice. Watching the video, they strike me as a kind couple, who won't be able to say no to any requests. And, sadly, they will be bombarded with pleas for help. I hope they don't squander their financial security trying to help everyone else.
When they look at the state of England today, they are probably asking, "did we really win the war?"
In your next post, you ask, "Did England really win the war?" I am reminded of a story, "A General asked a Politician, "How do you like all these victories? The Politician replies, A couple more of these victories and we will be bankrupt."
War is death and ruin. Gore and blood. Where is the honor in it? We might be free but we are broke and in debt.
At least the Crusaders knew when to quit and go back home.
It's pathetic taxing on lottery winnings in the US. Then when you get your winnings,you are taxed again on every day purchases. Also,is it true that US citizens pay tax every year if their home is worth over a certain amount?