EuroMillions winner Adrian Bayford quits ‘pasty obsession’ for clever business move & it could make him even MORE money
EUROMILLIONS winner Adrian Bayford has planted a Champagne vineyard in the grounds of his mansion.
Ade, who scooped £148million in 2012, has added what appears to be Meunier grape vines on his country estate.
The grapes are one of the three varieties used in bubbly production.
Former postie Ade, 53, has had trouble selling his £12million mansion near Haverhill, on the Suffolk–Essex border, and experts say an established vineyard could improve its saleability.
The venture could be highly profitable as Essex is tipped to compete with the French Champagne region because of climate change.
But it can take several years for the grapes to establish before the bubbly is ready to drink.
Pals say the move is inspired by green-fingered fiancée Tracey Biles, 45, who has transformed the grounds of Ade’s country pile with her gardening since moving in.
One said: “It’s fantastic to see Adrian using his fortune to explore new ventures. It shows what a fantastic influence Tracey is on him.
“Hopefully we’ll all be able to buy Chateau Bayford soon.”
Jane Clare, of One Foot in the Grapes, said: “If Mr Bayford is planting grapes to make English fizz, he will be adding his own sparkle to our home-grown wines which are really taking off.
“England is gaining a reputation on the world stage for its sparkling wines many of which are made using the traditional grape varieties allowed in Champagne.
“They are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
“As our climate gets warmer, it is easier to ripen these grapes to a quality which in turn can create quality sparkling wines.
“Mr Bayford might also be keen on grape bacchus, which loves the climate in England and it is making really zesty citrus and apple-driven wines, which are similar to Sauvignon Blanc.”
The English wine industry produced 22million bottles last year, up from 5.3million in 2017.
UK's biggest lottery winners
By Ethan Singh
- Anonymous winner – £195,707,000
A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time.
The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket.
- Joe and Jess Thwaite – £184,262,899.10
Britain’s previous EuroMillions record holders were Joe and Jess Thwaite.
The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children’s ponies.
Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news.
As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping.
Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children.
- Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000
Colin and Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe’s second-biggest winners until someone in Italy won a jackpot worth £193m in 2019.
They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck.
But at the time of Colin’s death in December 2019 his share of the prize money had dwindled by around £40m.
He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported.
Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years.
He left money for their children Carly and Jamie.
- Adrian and Gillian Brayford – £148,600,000
Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million.
But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win.
The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021.
After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge.
She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought.
It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year.
- Frances and Patrick Connolly – £114,969,775
Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot.
They scooped almost £115 million on New Year’s Day 2019.
She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family.
- Richard and Debbie Nuttall – £61,000,000
The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024.
Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win.
Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account.
Other eye-watering anonymous winners:
- 2019 – £123million
Another anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover.
- 2021 – £122million
Following nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April.
The successful participant chose to remain anonymous.
- 2018 – £121million
Another anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.