A NORTHERN Irish chef celebrated netting a staggering £4.2 million with bookmakers Paddy Power by going to work at a restaurant on the busiest day of the year.
Sean Doyle, from Newcastle, Co Down placed a £10 stake on an online slot game called Mars Attacks, and struck it rich when he won the Jackpot King Deluxe on Paddy Power Games at exactly 10pm on the Eve of Valentine’s Day – netting the biggest ever online win in the history of the firm.
But the 33-year-old kept his feet firmly on planet earth when he woke up yesterday (February 14th) morning, arriving promptly for work at 9am at The Artisan Cookhouse on what ranks as the busiest day of the year at the family-run restaurant.
Less than 12 hours prior, the singleton, who has been an online gaming customer with Paddy Power for just 6 months, had won an eye-watering total of £4,283,863.55.
Sean describes how he watched in utter disbelief as the money dial on his screen began to increase towards the total winning figure.
But he admits he couldn’t bear to wait the 10 seconds it took to hit the £4.2 million mark.
“I watched it until it reached about £1m on the count thing and I switched off my phone. I couldn’t look. When I got home I couldn’t believe my eyes after I saw the final amount!” he said.
“You wouldn’t believe the amount of people’s lives I’m going to change with this win,” he continued.
“My sister is a single parent in New Zealand with three kids so I’m delighted because this means I will be able to help her out. I also have three brothers, my parents and a few aunts and uncles too.”
Asked if he has any plans to spend any portion of the lump sum on himself, the generous Newcastle native revealed: “Ah, I’m sure the expected things will come too, after helping the family out. I might set up my own shop, probably a café, which would mean I can down scale and relax more.”
For more, see www.paddypowergames.com
