I missed out on £61m EuroMillions lottery win after heartbreaking decision – now I’m forced to ask for donations

THE FORMER husband of a lotto jackpot winner has jokingly asked her ex-wife to give him some money if she likes.

Paul Ridge, who has not seen his one-time wife for more than 30 years, recognised her after she appeared on the news holding a cheque for £61million.

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The delivery driver, 67, told The Mirror: "I looked at the photo and said: 'She looks slightly familiar'.

"She looked a lot different but she did look slightly familiar."

Paul then jokingly said: "She can donate some of her winnings to me if she likes. I’d be very grateful!"

Paul and Debbie got married in 1992 in a register office, but divorced just within a few weeks, the news website reports.

Paul, then 35, was a DJ and wed Debbie after a "whirlwind romance".

But the relationship did not last long.

However, after seeing his ex-wife win the jackpot, Paul said: "I have no hard feelings. It’s life, we all make mistakes.

"I wish her all the best. Good luck to them. I’m sure they will enjoy themselves spending it."

Paul's wife Paula added: "Congratulations [to Debbie]. All the best to them."

Debbie and her husband Richards, an accountant, were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in Canary Island when they learned they had won the jackpot.

The pair quickly flew back and confirmed their win, before going out for a breakfast celebration with the entire family.

Debbie and her husband now plan to retire early - and buy a second home in Portugal to spend more time with their kids and grandkids.

They have reportedly splashed some chunk of money on a shiny new BMW X5.

Meanwhile, a lucky man who won £148m in the EuroMillions lottery but then split with his wife and lost a fortune now can't find love.

Due to their divorce, Adrian was forced to split the winnings equally with Gillian.

Gillian revealed that she wished she had never gone public after Adrian's winning ticket struck gold, in an exclusive interview with The Scottish Sun last year.

She explained that the whirlwind around the big win cost the couple their marriage.

Since then, Adrian has been dumped three times, leaving his ego bruised and his bank balance dented.