Couple who received the £115million EuroMillions jackpot reveal the primary extremely mundane factor they purchased with their winnings

The winner of a £114.9million EuroMillions jackpot in 2019 has revealed the first thing she purchased was a three-pack of M&S knickers for £12.

Former social worker and teacher Frances Connolly, 58, and her businessman husband Patrick, 60, originally from Moira in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, won their enormous prize on New Year’s Day nearly six years ago.

Since scooping their huge jackpot, the fourth biggest UK lottery prize ever claimed at the time, the generous couple, who now live in the north-east of England, have given away more than £60million to family and friends.

Recalling the day they found out they became multi-millionaires overnight, Ms Connolly told how she was holed up in a hotel with no spare underwear as they braced themselves to go public with their win.

Asked what her first purchase was after winning £114,969,775, Ms Connolly told The Sun: ‘Do you really want to know? A pair of knickers.’

She explained: ‘We left our home with nothing, to keep us safe in case anybody found out about it and came to the house. And they did — within minutes.

‘When we arrived at a hotel in England on Friday night, ahead of the press conference, I had to phone our Fiona and say, “Will you nip down to Marks & Spencer?”. ‘She got a pack of three pairs for 12 quid.’

Former social worker and teacher Frances Connolly and her businessman husband Patrick, originally from Moira in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, won their enormous prize on New Year’s Day nearly six years ago

Ms Connolly went on to reveal that the first luxury purchase she made was buying her father a gold pocket watch. 

The former teacher also revealed that she cannot remember what numbers the couple picked – as they played online rather than buying a physical ticket.

The Connollys immediately gave away large chunks of cash to friends and family, using a list she prepared in advance of the win – which she always believed would happen. 

She has set up two charitable foundations, one named after her late mother Kathleen Graham in their native Northern Ireland, and the PFC Trust in Hartlepool, where the couple have lived for more than 30 years.

Their biggest expenditure after their win was a mansion in County Durham with seven acres of land, where Ms Connolly drives a Jaguar and her husband has an Alfa Romeo.

They also have a ‘fun car’, a second-hand Aston Martin. 

The couple have three daughters – one is married, one has a little daughter and one is ‘happily single’, according to their mother.

But she also revealed that they have encountered issues with prenups and what happens if they give their children money and somebody divorces them.

Frances Connolly has revealed the first thing she purchased was a three-pack of M&S knickers for £12

Despite having millions in the bank, the Connollys are not ones to flaunt their cash.

In fact, Ms Connolly revealed that they were offered an upgrade to fly first class but turned it down. She said it was because in first class they give you a cubicle and she wanted to sit beside her husband.

Ms Connolly says she starts every day at home with a 7.30am swim, where she is joined by a group of friends. 

Although the couple have always worked hard, they say they are now busier than ever – attending meetings and charity events and going back and forth to Ireland, where they are doing up a house.