‘I won £11 million on the lottery but now I’m back working a normal job’

The divorcee still plays the lottery, with the same numbers from 30 years ago when he won, in the hope of a top-up win and turning his fortune around.

A British glazier who won £11 million (A$21 million) on the lottery nearly 30 years ago is back on the road at work — and loving it.

Mark Gardiner, 61, nearly blew all his winnings but says he keeps sane by driving around in his van for the business he owns, The Sun reports.

He and then-business partner Paul Maddison split their £22,590,829 ­(A$43,162,444) jackpot in 1995.

But a series of bad investments saw him lose millions.

He also vowed to never marry again after splitting from fourth wife Brenda in 2004.

However, he sensibly piled £2 million (A$3.82 million) of his winnings into his company Croft Glass.

Mark and then-business partner Paul Maddison split their £22,590,829 ­jackpot in 1995. Mark Gardiner is on the right.

As well as the day-to-day running, he also does the measuring up, surveying and putting in orders.

Mr Gardiner, of East Sussex, in south east England, said: “Don’t get me wrong, if I won the lottery now at 61 — I’d have done so many different things. I’d have stopped work.”

But he said becoming more involved in his business as his personal wealth dwindled has kept him grounded.

“I decided to invest money into it,” he explained.

“I wanted to see if I had the ability, the skill and the ­knowledge to take it further. It was like a test and I have passed.”

Mr Gardiner is still buying the same lotto numbers.

Mr Gardiner says he occasionally skives off, but adds: “I don’t worry that if I take the day off I won’t be able to pay my staff’s wages.”

He also owns a football club in Hastings and a home in Barbados.

But he still plays the lottery, with the same numbers from 1995, in the hope of a top-up win.

Mr Gardiner claims ex-business partner Paul is a Jehovah’s Witness living in Scotland but would not say whether they are speaking.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.