Man wins 2.3 million pounds lottery day after divorce

London, March 17 : A bus driver in Britain staked his last quid on a lottery ticket, the day after his divorce was finalised, and won half the jackpot of 2.3 million pounds. His ex-wife too won a scratchcard the same day, but for five pounds.

Kevin Halstead, a 50-year-old bus driver, spent Friday out with friends after his divorce and the next day he bought a Lotto ticket. Later, he was left stunned when he won the lottery, Daily Express reported Wednesday.

Halstead's friend said: "Kevin's divorce dragged on for a couple of years. Everything was settled on Friday so he went out and got drunk. On Saturday he decided to spend his last quid on a lottery ticket. He checked the papers next morning and saw he'd won half the jackpot."

But Helen, Halstead's former wife, is not bitter.

"We've been separated a long time. We are the best of friends. In fact, we get on better now than when we were married. It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. I wish him all the luck in the world - he deserves it."

"All I'll say is I won and #65533;5 on a scratchcard on Saturday," she was quoted as saying.