Bishop Auckland dad plans birthday after lotto jackpot win

John Parker, 59, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw he'd won the £1m UK Millionaire Maker code on July 8.

As John's win came just a couple months before he turns 60, he and his partner Lisa Beal, 47, are now planning to mark the occasion in style, with a huge bash at his local pub.

John Parker (right) and partner Lisa Beal (left) celebrating the win in their local pub (Image: This Is Influential) The dad-of-two said: "I have been planning my birthday party at our local pub for a while now, as I always knew I wanted all my friends and family in one room to help me celebrate.

"But winning means that we can go even bigger and even better. The drinks are on me!"

Recalling the moment he became a millionaire, he added: "I checked my National Lottery account after getting an email to say I had won something in the draw.

"At first, I was confused though as my balance was exactly the same as before – £2.80.

"I checked again and saw that I had in fact won £1m. I really couldn’t believe it and I just kept checking."

John Parker (left) and partner Lisa Beal (right) celebrating the win in their local pub (Image: This Is Influential) In celebration, John headed straight to the pub after the realisation he was a millionaire began to sink in.

He said: "My local is pretty much next door to where I live so my excitement was still at fever pitch in the few minutes it took me to get to the pub after realising that I had won.

"I just walked in and shouted, ‘I’m a millionaire,’ before ordering my usual. My best mates just laughed at me and thought I was joking, until I showed them the app and the word ‘winner.’

"I ordered my usual and called Lisa to tell her the news…it all felt so surreal, as this sort of thing doesn’t happen to people like us."

John Parker (left) and partner Lisa Beal (right) celebrating the win in their local pub (Image: This Is Influential) John and Lisa are also looking to book a luxury holiday to Jamaica to soak up the summer sun.

The couple said they will also use the holiday as time to plan how to spend the rest of the win and think about where to travel next.

John added: "A break away in the sunshine will be the perfect opportunity to take stock and make a few plans.

"For instance, I want to think about investing in property to help secure a better future for myself and my family."

The National Lottery has now awarded over £95 billion in prizes and created more than 7,400 millionaires or multi-millionaires since its launch in 1994.