£148m winners Adrian and Gillian Bayford announce marriage split a year after jackpot joy
He has left couple's mansion and moved into £500,000 house
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A couple who won a £148 million EuroMillions jackpot are set to divorce.
Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Haverhill, Suffolk, scooped the second biggest ever lottery prize in August last year.
Jardine Michelson Public Relations issued a statement on Mrs Bayford's behalf confirming the split.
It said: "Gillian Bayford confirms that her marriage to Adrian has broken down irretrievably and they have separated.
"Gillian requests that the media respect her and her children's privacy and that of their wider family at this time.
"Gillian will be giving no further comment about this matter either now or in the future."
Mr Bayford, 43, told the Sun that he had left the couple's £6 million Georgian mansion and moved a 10-minute drive away to a £500,000 four-bedroom house in Suffolk.
At a press conference organised by lottery organiser Camelot after their win, mother-of-two Mrs Bayford, 41, said she hoped the windfall would allow the family to spend more time together.
At the time she was working nights as a healthcare assistant on the children's ward at the Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge while Mr Bayford ran a record shop in Haverhill, which has since closed.
She said: "We have lived within our means and been comfortable but we have been like ships in the night to earn the income we needed.
"It will be fantastic to spend more time as a family now.
"This money has come at the right time for us and is going to benefit the whole family."
A Camelot spokeswoman said only a small minority of winners regretted their lottery success.
She added: "We regularly conduct research among National Lottery winners about life after the win.
"In recent research undertaken, only 2% of winners had separated from their partner since winning a major prize with 99% of winners claiming to be as happy or happier than before their win."
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments