Husband scoops £1m and blames argument with wife for bumper pay out (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Husband scoops £1m and blames argument with wife for bumper pay out

7:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

A Balham bookmaker has cited an argument with his wife as the reason behind his £1m EuroMillions win.

Paul Solomon, 60, and wife Linda, 59, scooped the monster pay out in the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle on February 26 and can now look forward to a new millionaire lifestyle.

In a lucky twist of fate the pair had a tiff over where Mr Solomon should have a haircut, with his wife suggesting he should go to Streatham But because he refused and decided to go to Balham, he ended up buying a ticket from Sainsbury's in Balham High Road.

Mr Solomon, who works at, E. Coomes Bookmakers, also nearly threw away the ticket after he saw his main numbers did not come up.

He said: "I was coming to the end of my shift at work when I remembered the EuroMillions ticket I’d brought when my missus was still less than happy with me.

"I checked the numbers on the TV, saw that they didn’t match and went to throw it in the bin and pack up for the night.

"I don’t know why I suddenly remembered the raffle element but thank goodness I did.

"As the three letters matched, then the numbers I was in total shock. I just sat there dumbfounded thinking, ‘I’m a millionaire’."

Early retirement will be on the cards for the lucky couple who intend to continue their love of greyhound racing by investing in a promising dog.

Mr Solomon, who has worked since he was 16 and initially joined the army's Royal Signallers, said: "This win means we can rekindle our love of greyhound racing and once again be actively involved rather than in the stands, something I honestly never thought would ever happen again.

"Other than meeting Linda, I’m not sure I’ve been lucky in life.

"I’ve always had to work hard and I have to say I was dreading the future because I just didn’t know how we were going to make ends meet."

The happy pair will now treat themselves to a new Land Rover and a caravan plus a trip to see a close friend in Brisbane, Australia.