'Lovely' dad won £9million on lottery but five years later it 'killed him'

A major lottery win can completely transform people's lives - but it's not always for the better. The tragic case of Keith Gough serves as a stark reminder that there can be some major pitfalls when it comes to hitting the jackpot.

Keith scooped £9million on the National Lottery in 2005 - and prior to that he lived a remarkably ordinary life. A father and husband to Louise for 25 years, Keith was working as a baker and living in a modest £160,000 semi-detached house in Bridgnorth when he struck it rich.

The couple bought their winning ticket from a newsagent in Broseley with the shop owner, Barabara Homer, later saying it was a "great boost for the area". "It's something you can only dream of and you never think it will happen locally."

It didn't take long for Keith to start spending - he splashed out on an executive box at Aston Villa's stadium worth £350,000, bought racehorses, and a luxurious BMW, among other pricey purchases.

READ MORE: Lottery winner who scooped £1m left fighting for life after 'months of partying'

READ MORE: Man finds winning £13million lottery ticket left in jacket for six months

He quit his job, but without a daily routine, he found himself "bored", leading to heavy drinking. He also separated from Louise. Speaking in 2009, a year before his death at just 58, Keith confessed: "Without routine in my life I started to spend, spend, spend - in the end I was just bored.

"Before the win all I would drink was some wine with a meal. I used to be popular but I've driven away all my friends. I don't trust anyone any more." He added: "My life was brilliant. But the lottery has ruined everything. What's the point of having money when it sends you to bed crying."

Following his marriage breakdown, Keith relocated to a £1million rented property in Cheshire, where he employed a chauffeur and gardener. But his drinking problem worsened and eventually resulted in him entering a rehabilitation facility - where things got even worse.

Keith fell victim to a £700,000 fraud perpetrated by someone he encountered at Birmingham's Priory clinic. Convicted fraudster James Prince tricked him into putting money into fake business ventures, and later received a prison sentence of three years and four months following the deception which took place between 2006 and 2008.

Just five years following his lottery triumph, Keith, who had squandered much of his wealth on betting, tragically passed away in 2010 at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, following an extended period of poor health.

READ MORE: Gran who won £111,000 lottery leaves bosses stunned with ‘rare’ decision

Before his untimely death, he would caution people entering newsagents "not to buy a lottery ticket" as it had "ruined his life". He was described as someone who "drank himself to death" in reports that stated a heart attack was brought on by alcohol and stress.

Les Winwood, a friend and local councillor, said after his passing: "He knew he'd made mistakes with the money but was never bitter and was a great man to know. He had a lot of friends." John Homer, husband of newsagent owner Barbara, described Keith as a "lovely man".

However, he added: "He was larger than life, a smashing bloke who will be sorely missed. It may sound strange, but winning the money was probably the worst thing that could have happened to him. It is very sad."

It was assumed that Keith was penniless at the time of his death, but a will later revealed that he left behind almost £800,000.