Michael Carroll: £9.7m at 19, gone within a decade, a coalman by 2019

Michael Carroll, a 19-year-old binman from Norfolk, won £9.7m on the National Lottery in November 2002. It was reported to be the first ticket he had ever bought. He turned up to collect the money wearing an electronic tag.

He bought about 80 cars and property in Swaffham, where he built a banger-racing track, and put £1m into Rangers football club. He later spoke of parties fuelled by drink and drugs. He also gave about £4m away soon after the win, and his short marriage broke down.

He spent time in prison for failing to comply with a drug treatment order. In June 2005 he was given an ASBO after firing ball bearings from a catapult at cars and shops, and he was later jailed for affray. By 2010 the money had gone and he was living on £42 a week Jobseeker's Allowance. That May he applied for his old job on the bins.

In November 2019 he told the Mirror he was working £10-an-hour shifts as a coalman in Moray, Scotland, and renting a flat. He said he had no regrets and was happier.

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Sources

• The Guardian: Lottery winner given Asbo (2005) (theguardian.com)
• BBC News: Lotto winner Michael Carroll wants bin job back (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lottery winner Carroll signs on (greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk)
• The Mirror: Mickey Carroll is a coalman but 'happier now' (mirror.co.uk)