Death of man who said life was 'ruined' by lottery win

Keith Gough, 58, pictured, won the jackpot with his wife Louise in June 2005 but spent much of his winnings on racehorses, fast cars and an executive box at Aston Villa.

He died on Saturday at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Shropshire. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Yesterday, John Homer, who owns a newsagents in nearby Broseley, said he still remembered when "Goughie" bought his winning ticket.

Mr Homer, 65, said: "It was a Wednesday and a roll-over from the previous Saturday.

"It all went downhill from there. He and his wife split. He did have a drink problem and it got progressively worse. He was a nice chap and we got on well.

"It's very sad because it should have made him a very happy man but he didn't get the best out of it.

In 2007, Mr Gough split from his wife of 25 years and began drinking heavily.

He reportedly checked into the Priory rehabilitation clinic in Birmingham for treatment.

At the time the couple scooped the jackpot, Mrs Gough, a secretary, said her husband had a dream their numbers would come up.

She said: "A few nights ago Keith told me he had dreamt we had won the lottery.

"I dismissed it and told him that 'everyone has those kind of dreams' and to forget about it. I never believed it would come true."

Mr Gough, who was driving a T-registered Skoda at the time of the win, said then he had to "pinch himself".

He had added: "I have never had any dreams come true before and now I suppose I don't have to have any dreams!"

But the win quickly ruined his life. Last year he told the News of the World: "My life was brilliant. But the lottery has ruined everything. What's the point of having money when it sends you to bed crying?

"Now when I see someone going in to a newsagent I advise them not to buy a lottery ticket."