Lucky chef Sean strikes GOLD with £4m win in online game

20 February 2019

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE chef Sean Doyle is taking his time making the first steps into his new life.

The 33 year-old Newcastle man is now £4,283,863 richer after he hit the jackpot playing an online slot game.

He placed a €10 stake on a Paddy Power game called Mars Attacks and struck it rich when he won the Jackpot King Deluxe at exactly 10pm last Wednesday.

Despite realising he had become rich, the chef still turned up for work at The Artisan Cookhouse in Strangford on St Valentine’s Day last Thursday to help with one of the busiest days of the year.

While the restaurant is currently closed for holidays, it remains to be seen how long Mr Doyle will continue to work there as he has said he is interested in opening his own eatery.

The lucky winner also promised to “change people’s lives” with his biggest ever online win in Paddy Power’s history.

Mr Doyle had only been an online gaming customer with the Irish betting firm for just six months.

He told how he watched in utter disbelief as the money dial on his screen began to increase towards the total winning figure of €4,859,095.

But admitted he couldn’t bear to wait the 10 seconds it took to hit the final total mark.

“I watched it until it reached about £1m on the count thing and I switched off my phone,” said Mr Doyle.

“I couldn’t look. When I got home I couldn’t believe my eyes after I saw the final amount.”

Once the size of his win began to dawn on him, his first thoughts were of helping his family.

He added: “You wouldn’t believe the amount of people’s lives I’m going to change with this win.

“I also have three brothers, my parents and a few aunts and uncles too.”

While he will allow himself a few luxuries, he said: “I might set up my own shop, probably a café, which would mean I can down scale and relax more.”

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “We’re used to being down a few quid after Valentine’s Day but this record-breaking win takes the biscuit.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled for Sean and the fact that he was sound enough to turn up for work for his bosses, Alister Evans and his son Cormack, the next morning makes the thought of his success all the sweeter.”

Mr Doyle’s win means that the Mars Attacks jackpot is back up to €1.25m (£1.1m) with Paddy Power.

He is the third millionaire to come from Co Down in weeks after Patrick and Frances Connolly scooped a £115m EuroMillions jackpot in early January.

The pair, who live in Moira, have vowed to give away most of the money to their friends and family.

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