Brits should keep an eye on their lottery tickets tonight - as one lucky player has scooped a massive £15million jackpot prize.
Saturday's National Lottery eye-watering sum means a ticketholder can now pursue new goals, purchase a dream home or even quit their job thanks to multi-million pound prize.
Andy Carter, Senior Winnersâ Advisor at The National Lottery, said: âBrilliant news, one lucky ticket-holder has won tonightâs festive £15M âMust Be Wonâ Lotto jackpot! Thatâs certainly something to cheer about this Christmas! Players are urged to check their tickets and to give us a call to claim tonightâs exciting jackpot prize.
The live blog is now finished.
Players have been urged to check their tickets in case they won the life-changing £15million jackpot in tonight's National Lottery draw.
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Thank you for reading the blog and keeping up to date with the latest results through our blog. The live blog is now closed. Good luck on future draws!
Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery, said: “Brilliant news, one lucky ticket-holder has won tonight’s festive £15M ‘Must Be Won’ Lotto jackpot! That’s certainly something to cheer about this Christmas! Players are urged to check their tickets and to give us a call to claim tonight’s exciting jackpot prize.
“The month of festive Lotto luck won’t stop there, as there is another ‘Must Be Won’ draw next weekend, with a merry £15M up for grabs on Saturday (30 December). Whether it is one ticket-holder banking the lot, or if the jackpot rolls down and boosts all the lower prizes – there’s sure to be more winning to end 2023. It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year!
“Thanks to National Lottery players, £30M is generated every week for Good Causes. This money helps fund projects across the nation, with over 685,000 grants – supporting projects both big and small – having been made across the UK to date.”
Although winning the lottery comes with many positive rewards, the lucky ticket-holder's relationship can often take a devastating hit.
Unfortunately, Roger and Laura Griffiths were no different and eventually split up as a result.
The couple bagged an eye-watering £1.8million on the lottery back in 2005 and they ditched their careers as an IT manager and teacher. The pair purchased a lavish barn conversion, which amounted to £800,000, in North Yorkshire and Roger pursued his music ambitions and made a record with his old university band.
Despite their happy investments, the housing crash caused the value in their property to drop and they split up in 2013 with no money left.
Lotto winners Roger and Lara Griffiths from Wetherby, North Yorkshire (Ross Parry Agency-Leeds)The second draw of the evening ha staken place - and it could be a Christmas miracle for a ticket holder, with a £500,000 jackpot.
The Thunderball numbers for Saturday, December 23 are: 05, 10, 15, 16 and 35. Meanwhile, the Thunderball itself is 03.
The National Lottery responded after a teenage student lost out on a £182m jackpot because of a failed payment.
Rachel Kennedy, who was studying business at Brighton University at the time, matched all seven EuroMillions numbers back in February 2021. Unfortunately for her and boyfriend Liam McCrohan, the payment hadn't been made for the ticket, because she didn't have enough cash in her bank account to pay the £2.50 charge.
Woman plays lottery on 'tough day' during her break - ends up winning $100,000
Many of us dream of winning the lottery - but history shows that it isn't always the golden ticket we think it is.
While scooping a huge jackpot would definitely take some of life's problems away, it would also potentially create new ones.
For some winners who walked away millionaires after their ticket came up trumps, life really did improve - and they would never wish they could return to their old life. But for others, their huge fortunes ended up becoming a burden, leading to poverty, huge bust-ups and even death.
The four times weekly Thunderball draw returns in just under 15 minutes time.
Players will have the chance to win £500,000 - imagine the Christmas you could have with that kind of money.
We'll publish the winning numbers as soon as they're drawn.
Tonight's Lotto draw has taken place - and eager Brits will be scrambling to check their numbers now.
To win the huge top prize of £15m, a lucky ticketholder must match all six numbers plus the Bonus Ball.
The winning numbers for Saturday, December 23 draw are: 17, 29, 31, 40, 47 and 56. Mwanwhile, the all important bonus ball is 44.
Stick with us as tonight's Thunderball results will follow shortly.
The National Lottery draw is set to take place at 7.45pm. You are no longer able to purchase a ticket, however, if you missed out on your chance there is still time to take part in the Thunderball draw at 8.15pm
Brits have just 5 minutes to grab a £2 ticket for tonight's draw.
One lucky punter could bag a staggering £15million if they select the right ticket. The ticket holder has to match the six main numbers to win. To purchase a ticket visit the website here.
This evening's Lotto game is nearly upon us - with the chance of winning a cool £15m on offer.
The main National Lottery draw will take place at 7.45pm and numbers will be announced as they are drawn.
If that's enough, there's also another chance to win £500,000 in the four-times weekly Thunderball draw. Good luck - it could be you!
A student was over the moon after she found out she had won a staggering £182 million in the EuroMillions - but her joy was short-lived due to a failed payment.
Rachel Kennedy, who was at Brighton University at the time, was ecstatic when she sucessfully matched all seven numbers back in February 2021. However, Rachel and her boyfriend Liam McCrohan soon realised that the payment hadn't gone through for the ticket because she didn't have enough money in her bank account to cover the £2.50 charge.
Camelot, which runs the lottery, sent the couple a "good luck" message for future games they might participate in after they found out the unfortunate mistake. A spokesperson said: "We're aware of Rachel's story and hope she gets in early to buy a ticket for the next big draw."
Rachel Kennedy, 19, and Liam McCrohan, 21, from Hertfordshire were absolutely heartbroken when they realised their usual numbers had come up, but they had won nothing (rachelkennedyyx/Instagram )The winning ticket holder has six months to claim their prize. If after that time no one has come forward, the huge sum will be given to the good causes fund instead. Players can call the official line on 0333 234 50 50 to make their claim.
You could still become a millionaire before Christmas by taking part in tonight's Lotto draw with a £15 million jackpot.
The National Lottery states: "Saturday nights changed forever when Lotto was introduced back in 1994. Since then, it’s become the nation’s favourite game – played by millions in towns and cities across the country.
"Today, it’s as popular as ever, with thousands winning prizes in every game."
One lucky punter recently scooped a whopping £13million jackpot in the National Lottery's 'must be won' draw last week.
The winning numbers were confirmed as 10, 28, 31, 34, 43 and 48. The bonus was listed as 57 on Wednesday, December 13.
Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at the National Lottery, encouraged the winner to claim their prize at the time and said: "Brilliant news, one lucky ticket-holder has won tonight's wonderful £13million 'Must Be Won' Lotto jackpot. "What a fantastically festive win just before Christmas. Players are urged to check their tickets and to give us a call to claim tonight's exciting jackpot prize.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, £30million is generated every week for good causes. This money helps fund projects across the nation, with over 685,000 grants - supporting projects both big and small - having been made across the UK to date."
(Getty Images)National Lottery: This game is scheaduled for 7.45pm tonight.
Thunderball: This draw will follow on after the National Lottery game and will take place at 8.15pm
One fortunate Brit could score the huge £15million jackpot this evening. To be in for a chance of winning, Brits can purchase a ticket which is £2 per play. To enter, players must select six numbers for each line or choose a lucky dip which will randomly select the numbers. The game closes in 1hour and 28 minutes. You can visit the website here.