Adrian Bayford, the EuroMillions winner who struck gold with a staggering £148 million in 2012, is making a surprising life change by abandoning his luxurious seven-bedroom mansion to move in with his 80-year-old mother. The former postman, now 54, plans to relocate with his fiancée, Tracey Biles, to a modest four-bedroom cottage that he bought for his parents. This move marks a significant shift for Bayford, who has experienced the highs and lows of sudden wealth since his lottery win.
Bayford's decision to downsize comes after years of living in a Grade II-listed estate situated near the border of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, a home he purchased with his ex-wife, Gillian. A friend revealed to The Sun that Bayford is eager to embrace a simpler lifestyle, saying, "He thinks he can just downsize and have a simple life and go back to how things used to be before he was mega rich." The friend added that the mansion is "full of bad memories" for Bayford, particularly as it is the place where he separated from his previous fiancées.
In December 2024, Bayford proposed to Biles, who works as an ambulance operator, and the couple is set to marry this summer. Their relationship has brought a sense of stability to Bayford's life after a tumultuous period following his split from Gillian, which occurred just 15 months after their massive lottery win.
Bayford had attempted to sell his sprawling estate for £12 million in 2023 but faced challenges in the real estate market, ultimately withdrawing the property from the market. The estate features a vineyard, an Airbnb rental, and has served as a venue for music festivals, including the Cambridge Rock Festival, which showcased around 60 rock bands over four days.
Despite his ambitious plans, including a proposal to build a children's theme park on 20 acres of his estate, local authorities rejected the project, citing concerns over its impact on the rural character of the area. The plans included a maze, a train ride, and educational facilities, but critics deemed the proposal excessively urban for the countryside. An Environmental Health officer expressed worries that the park could become a nuisance for nearby residents.
Bayford's vineyard, which spans the size of six football pitches, was another venture he undertook in hopes of generating income. In August 2024, it was reported that he had planted Meunier grape vines, a key ingredient in champagne production. Additionally, he had previously listed a private cottage on his estate on Airbnb for approximately £110 a night, which provided another source of income.
In the years following his lottery win, Bayford's personal life has been marked by a series of relationships. After his marriage to Gillian ended, he was linked to several women, including stable girl Sam Burbidge, with whom he was set to marry before their split in 2017. His engagement to Biles represents a new chapter in his life, as he seeks to build a family and a more grounded existence.
Bayford's journey since winning the EuroMillions has been a rollercoaster ride, showcasing both the allure and the challenges of sudden wealth. His decision to move in with his mother signifies a desire to reconnect with his roots and simplify his life, stepping away from the pressures that often accompany affluence.
As he prepares for his upcoming wedding and a new living situation, Bayford appears to be focused on creating a supportive environment for himself and his fiancée. The move to his mother's home, along with their plans to start a life together, may represent a fresh start for Bayford, allowing him to redefine what success and happiness mean after his life-changing lottery win.
