Young Lotto millionaire found dead

Police were today investigating the death of one of Britain's youngest lottery jackpot winners.

Stuart Donnelly was found dead at his home in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, early yesterday morning.

The 29-year-old won almost £2 million when he hit the jackpot in November 1997 aged 17.

He was one of 13 people to share the £25 million jackpot.

And he famously toasted his win with Coca-Cola, because he was too young to drink champagne.

The former trainee pharmacist from Neilston in Renfrewshire spent his winnings on a new home for his parents, an executive seat at Celtic Park and a new house for himself in secluded Buittle Bridge, in Castle Douglas.

He also gave £15,000 to Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow, where his younger brother was treated for a genetic disorder.

But in a 2003 interview, he told of the strain of winning the lottery at such a young age.

He said: "It was very hard to deal with all the attention I got. I even had people camping outside my house.

"It put a huge strain on me and my family."

On his page on social networking site Bebo, Mr Donnelly admitted that he was scared of socialising, and listed his activities as: "Sleeping, watching TV, listening to music, surfing the net. Basically, anything that involves not leaving the house."

A message left on the page today read: "Can't believe you're gone. I'm gonna miss you a hell of a lot. R.I.P"

At the time of the win, his father, Danny, who has since died, told reporters: "I couldn't get a better son. He's the nicest person you could meet."

A Dumfries and Galloway police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances behind the death.

They said in a statement: "We can confirm we are investigating the death of 29-year-old Stuart Donnelly from the Castle Douglas area.

"The Procurator Fiscal has been informed of the death. Early investigations suggest that there are no suspicious circumstances and a post mortem is being arranged."