The National Lottery's biggest winners - and those who blew the lot to end up penniless

The National Lottery celebrates its 30th birthday on Tuesday after transforming thousands of lives and funding a golden generation of British Olympians. The launch draw took place on Saturday, November 19, 1994, on a live TV show hosted by a then-45-year-old Noel Edmonds.

It was watched by 22 million people as lottery frenzy gripped the country.

The jackpot of £5.6million was jointly shared by seven lucky players. The winning numbers were 3, 5, 14, 22, 30 and 44 - and the bonus ball was 10.

Ken Southwell, from York, celebrated his £839,254 jackpot in his local pub by borrowing money to buy everyone a round.

Ken soon found himself out of a job as a TV installer when his desire to turn out on a cold winter day was questioned.

But he went on to set up his own successful business, buying property including two pubs and a tea room, and continued to live in the community where he was raised.

However, the father-of-three died from a brain tumour just 12 years later.

The first big winner was Mukhtar Mohidin, 42, who picked up £17.9million the following month from a six-week rollover. The factory shift worker was snubbed by the strict Muslim community because of his gambling and fled his terraced home in Blackburn, eventually settling in Berkshire.

He changed his name to Mike and claimed to be an investment banker.

A rather acrimonious divorce followed and he plunged into a life of parties, escorts and London casinos. He is now buried in an unmarked grave after dying from alcohol-related kidney and liver problems, aged 64.

Since that first draw, 7,200 players have become Lotto millionaires, 43,000 have won more than £50,000 and £9billion has been paid out in prize money.

While its popularity has waned from those early days, 50 per cent of adults still buy a ticket at least once a month.

Other winners have been the 695,000 community, health, education and heritage "good cause" projects, as well as the arts and sport, which have received £47billion.

The money also transformed Team GB Olympic and Paralympic teams.

From Atlanta in 1996, where they picked up a single gold, they became power house performers achieving a memorable third in the overall table in London 2012 with 29 golds. More recently in Paris they delivered another summer of success with 65 medals, including 14 golds.

So what's it like never to have to worry about money again? Six in 10 jackpot winners quit their jobs within two months, often without telling their boss the real reason.

Tesco twice found itself short-staffed when separate syndicates of workers - one sharing £7.5million and the other £15million - left en masse.

Half take the opportunity to set up their own business. In 1996 Belfast bus driver Peter Lavery pocketed £10.2million.

After various ventures he bought a historic site in the former city docks, launching Titanic distillery and producing the first whiskey in Belfast for 90 years.

He said: "It has certainly changed my life and the lives of a lot of other people, too. I just want to create something that lasts and gives people a future."

He added: "When you buy a lottery ticket you dream of having success but you never think it'll come. You wake up the next morning and still dreaming, but there's reality. I've worked all my life. I don't see why I should stop."

Some winners don't have such a successful time, though. When Roger Griffiths, an IT manager from Wetherby, West Yorkshire, won £1.83million he tried to become a rock star.

In true David Brent style he splurged £25,000 on releasing a record, only to see it sell just 600 copies. He ended up penniless, living with his parents and his marriage in tatters following a string of equally poor investments.

Still dreaming of that hit record, he is now writing a book about his experiences.

Others combined their existing jobs while still enjoying their new lifestyle.

Sue Richards, from Essex, continues to work as a specialist carer, despite winning £3million. She has splashed out on a new home, four cars, a motor home, regular holidays abroad and helped her children on to the property ladder.

But lavish living is not for all, and these sensible souls are known in lottery circles as the "Unchanged". Train driver Carl Prance, 50, from Cardiff, spent a year lying on sun-kissed beaches after picking up £7million, only to decide he was actually far happier back on the railways.

Lottery advisers suggest that winners take time before making decisions.

A holiday, new car and a new home are top of spending wish lists. A third jet off to Walt Disney World in Florida, often taking a charter flight. The favoured choice for a new set of wheels is a Range Rover, with one per cent opting for a Lamborghini.

Former lorry driver Tom Naylor, 64, from South Staffordshire, knew what he wanted after years of sitting in traffic jams.

After pocketing £15.5million he bought a car for every day of the week, including a Rolls Royce and a Peugeot for the trip to the supermarket. He said: "I do love my cars and winning such a large amount has enabled me to indulge my passion."

One in five winners still live in the same home they had when they won, and those who move tend to stay in the same area.

Generally, winners eschew sprawling mansions, and buy four or five-bed new builds.

Infamous "lotto lout" Michael Carroll, from Swaffham, Norfolk, who won £9.7million aged 19, went on an eight-year bender of debauched living, clocking up 30 court appearances and serving nine months for affray. When broke he returned to his native Scotland where he linked up with his ex-wife. They have remarried and he is working as a refuse collector.

The most secretive was an Australian backpacker touring the UK who turned up unannounced at Lottery headquarters in Watford, and presented a surprised receptionist with a winning jackpot ticket.

He refused all help, initially even declining to provide an address.

Four days later he was jetting back home £2million richer. when his identity and the ticket he bought checked out.