A Lotto winner who doubled his fortune by investing in property is selling the mansion he built with his windfall.
Karl Crompton was just 23 years old when he scooped a £10.9million jackpot in 1996.
But instead of squandering it he built up a buy-to-let business, increasing his wealth to an estimated £22million.
Three years after his win he spent £1.5million building his dream five-bedroom home on the site of an old hospital.
The 6,500sq ft Gothic mansion, set in 10 acres, is now worth an estimated £5m and is described by estate agents as “one of the finest homes in rural Fylde”.
The Lancashire bolthole has a swimming pool and three reception rooms, with an impressive double staircase in the entrance hall and garaging for four cars.
The master bedroom has a turret window overlooking the grounds, with a balcony, dressing room and en suite bathroom.
Despite his wealth Karl, now 48, is not afraid of hard work. Two months ago he was seen pushing a wheelbarrow of cement on a building site as he helped out with a property redevelopment in Blackpool.
Karl was living with his mum and dad and working as a £100-a-week trainee at Comet when he landed his win.
He was dubbed “Britain’s most eligible bachelor” but in 2006 he married childhood sweetheart Nicole. They have two sons together but it was reported last year that the couple had split.
At the time of his win it was revealed that it was his mum who suggested he should buy a ticket for the Lottery rollover draw.
He said: “My mum and dad and brother helped pick some numbers then I went out with my pals. The next morning, I came downstairs to the kitchen and my mum said, ‘You’re looking at a lottery winner. I’ve got four numbers and got £96 or something.’
“So I looked at the numbers and my ticket.
Even when Camelot later confirmed the numbers, I couldn’t believe I’d won.”
