Latest news with #ColinWeir
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EuroMillions £208m jackpot will be won THIS WEEK, confirms operator as UK's biggest ever lottery prize rolls over again
By Ethan Singh Anonymous winner - £195,707,000 A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time. The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket. Joe and Jess Thwaite - £184,262,899.10 Britain's previous EuroMillions record holders were Joe and Jess Thwaite. The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children's ponies. Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news. As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping. Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children. Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000 Colin and Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe's second-biggest winners until someone in Italy won a jackpot worth £193m in 2019. They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck. But at the time of Colin's death in December 2019 his share of the prize money had dwindled by around £40m. He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported. Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years. He left money for their children Carly and Jamie. Adrian and Gillian Brayford - £148,600,000 Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million. But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win. The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021. After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge. She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought. It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year. Frances and Patrick Connolly - £114,969,775 Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot. They scooped almost £115 million on New Year's Day 2019. She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family. Richard and Debbie Nuttall - £61,000,000 The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024. Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win. Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account. Other eye-watering anonymous winners: 2019 - £123million Another anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover. 2021 - £122million Following nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April. The successful participant chose to remain anonymous. 2018 - £121million Another anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Aye Write festival to return in November
The Aye Write book festival is to return in full in November after a programme of pop-up events last year following funding issues. This year's festival will take place across 11 days from Thursday November 6 until Sunday November 16 as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. Wee Write, a book festival entirely for children and young people, will return in March 2026. Last year's festival was cancelled after Creative Scotland turned down its bid for funding. However, a series of pop-up events was held, boosted by a £65,000 donation from a charitable foundation set up by late EuroMillions winner Colin Weir. This year, Glasgow Life was awarded £262,500 from Creative Scotland's 2025-28 Multi-Year Fund for the delivery of Aye Write in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of Glasgow Life, said: 'We're really looking forward to the return of Aye Write this year and marking an incredible 20 years of Glasgow's much-loved celebration of books, storytelling, and the love of reading. 'We are grateful to Creative Scotland for their support and our festival team is busy planning an inspiring and diverse programme of pop-up and festival events. 'We can't wait to welcome readers, writers and book lovers back to Aye Write over the coming months and during November.' In the lead-up to this year's Aye Write, the festival will host a series of pop-up events again, the first of which will be Liam McIlvanney in conversation with Scottish literature expert Dr Valentina Bold. He will be discussing his new psychological thriller The Good Father in the event at the Mitchell Library on Thursday July 31. Tickets for this event are on sale now and available from The wider programme for Aye Write 2025 as well as ticket and venue information will be unveiled in the coming months.
North Wales Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Aye Write festival to return in November
This year's festival will take place across 11 days from Thursday November 6 until Sunday November 16 as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. Wee Write, a book festival entirely for children and young people, will return in March 2026. Last year's festival was cancelled after Creative Scotland turned down its bid for funding. However, a series of pop-up events was held, boosted by a £65,000 donation from a charitable foundation set up by late EuroMillions winner Colin Weir. This year, Glasgow Life was awarded £262,500 from Creative Scotland's 2025-28 Multi-Year Fund for the delivery of Aye Write in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of Glasgow Life, said: 'We're really looking forward to the return of Aye Write this year and marking an incredible 20 years of Glasgow's much-loved celebration of books, storytelling, and the love of reading. 'We are grateful to Creative Scotland for their support and our festival team is busy planning an inspiring and diverse programme of pop-up and festival events. 'We can't wait to welcome readers, writers and book lovers back to Aye Write over the coming months and during November.' In the lead-up to this year's Aye Write, the festival will host a series of pop-up events again, the first of which will be Liam McIlvanney in conversation with Scottish literature expert Dr Valentina Bold. He will be discussing his new psychological thriller The Good Father in the event at the Mitchell Library on Thursday July 31. Tickets for this event are on sale now and available from The wider programme for Aye Write 2025 as well as ticket and venue information will be unveiled in the coming months.
The National
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Popular book festival to return after 2024 cancellation
Charity Glasgow Life confirmed on Thursday that Aye Write, a well-loved book festival held in Glasgow, will run from November 6-16 for its 20th anniversary after securing over £260,000 in funding for 2025-27 from Creative Scotland's multi-year fund back in January. The news comes after last year's festival was cancelled due to funding issues from Creative Scotland, though a series of pop-up events were held following a cash boost from a foundation established by late EuroMillions winner Colin Weir. READ MORE: Kneecap correct BBC headline after TRNSMT show cancelled Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, said: 'We're really looking forward to the return of Aye Write this year and marking an incredible 20 years of Glasgow's much-loved celebration of books, storytelling, and the love of reading. 'We are grateful to Creative Scotland for their support and our festival team is busy planning an inspiring and diverse programme of pop-up and festival events. 'We can't wait to welcome readers, writers and book lovers back to Aye Write over the coming months and during November.' A series of pop-up events will be held across the city in the lead up to the festival, starting with a conversation the history of Scottish gothic between author Liam McIlvanney and Scottish literature expert Dr Valentina Bold, taking place at the Mitchell Library on July 31. READ MORE: Best takeaways in Scotland named in Deliveroo 2025 awards – see full list A version of the festival aimed exclusively at children and young people, Wee Write, has also been confirmed to return in March 2026. The wider programme will be launched later in 2025, alongside venue and ticketing details. Tickets for McIlvanney and Dr Bold's conversation are on sale now, and can be purchased via the official Aye Write website. Glasgow Life produces the annual literature festival, alongside its work delivering other cultural events across the city.
South Wales Guardian
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Aye Write festival to return in November
This year's festival will take place across 11 days from Thursday November 6 until Sunday November 16 as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. Wee Write, a book festival entirely for children and young people, will return in March 2026. Last year's festival was cancelled after Creative Scotland turned down its bid for funding. However, a series of pop-up events was held, boosted by a £65,000 donation from a charitable foundation set up by late EuroMillions winner Colin Weir. This year, Glasgow Life was awarded £262,500 from Creative Scotland's 2025-28 Multi-Year Fund for the delivery of Aye Write in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of Glasgow Life, said: 'We're really looking forward to the return of Aye Write this year and marking an incredible 20 years of Glasgow's much-loved celebration of books, storytelling, and the love of reading. 'We are grateful to Creative Scotland for their support and our festival team is busy planning an inspiring and diverse programme of pop-up and festival events. 'We can't wait to welcome readers, writers and book lovers back to Aye Write over the coming months and during November.' In the lead-up to this year's Aye Write, the festival will host a series of pop-up events again, the first of which will be Liam McIlvanney in conversation with Scottish literature expert Dr Valentina Bold. He will be discussing his new psychological thriller The Good Father in the event at the Mitchell Library on Thursday July 31. Tickets for this event are on sale now and available from The wider programme for Aye Write 2025 as well as ticket and venue information will be unveiled in the coming months.
