03 Jan Lucky times for two drivers who both win big on lottery

Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, with presents, food and parties all taking its toll on our wallets,

But as well as being a busy time for the industry as people travel to and from parties it’s been very successful for two drivers in particular who have become millionaires thanks to the lottery.

Amo Riselli, 50, from Gloucester scooped nearly £25 million on the Lotto despite not matching the six winning numbers, but five numbers and the bonus ball. His numbers came in last Wednesday which was a must-be-won draw with a total jackpot of £24,501,283.

After sharing the news with his family – including his mother Maria who turns 80 next month, his four brothers and sisters and his five daughters – he called Camelot to confirm his win details.

Christmas continued as normal and the family shared a glass of champagne during new year celebrations – just like every year, even though they knew about the jackpot win.

As it was a busy time over the festive period, Mr Riselli still had a few regular taxi runs to do before he decided to hang up his car keys for good and retire.

“I will miss all my friends at work as we really have a laugh together, but I’ve decided I’m going to retire – just because now I can,” he said.

Speaking about finding out the news, he said the terminal in his local shop made an unusual noise after the first ticket was scanned and Mr Riselli was told he had matched five main numbers plus the bonus ball and should contact Camelot.

After treating family and friends, Mr Riselli is planning on moving house and taking his family on a holiday to Las Vegas.

He is also going to celebrate by arranging a big get together as a thank you for all his colleagues from the Grosvenor taxi rank, where he was self-employed for 12 years.

Meanwhile on the same day another taxi driver won £4 million on a lotto scratch card. Transgender Melissa Ede, 57, who has become known for her ‘bare all’ videos on facebook and has also appeared on Jeremy Kyle, said she is also planning on hanging up her keys and writing an autobiography.

She said her and her fiancee’s lives will “change forever”. She won the prize on December 27 and went public on Wednesday in a press conference organised by National Lottery.

“The transgender fight to where I am now has been a difficult path. I received my operation almost seven years ago and I am really proud of who I am today.

“I now want to help others in similar situations and believe my autobiography will do just this. What a fairytale ending. It is all just like a dream.”