AN UNEMPLOYED mechanic who said he is lucky to be alive after beating cancer spoke of his joy at scooping the UK’s largest lottery prize.

Les Scadding has been out of work since last Christmas and was £68 overdrawn on his bank account on the day he bought his lucky ticket in the Euromillions.

The 58-year-old, who lives in Caerleon, near Newport, South Wales, with his wife Samantha Peachey-Scadding, 38, said they had not slept since checking the numbers online on Saturday.

The jackpot win of £45,570,835.50 has not come as a complete surprise to Mr Scadding though.

He said he always believed he would one day win the lottery.

The father of three grown-up children from his first marriage said: “It is a funny thing with my family but for the last 12 years I have always said I am going to win the lottery.

“My family all laughed at me. My daughter, who lives in Abu Dhabi, always asked ‘have you won the lottery?’ and I would say ‘next time’.”

Mr Scadding said had he remembered to take his lottery card with his usual numbers on when he visited Tesco last week, he would not be a multi-millionaire today.

He instead opted for two lucky dips with a £2 stake. “I believe in fate,” he added.

They plan to buy a property in Barbados, their favourite holiday destination.