A LOTTERY winner who bagged £11million and was dubbed ‘Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ – but nearly 30 years later he’s unrecognisable.

Karl Crompton scooped the life-changing jackpot as a handsome young 23-year-old back in 1996.

The 50-year-old has let his grey hair grow out long and opted for beard rather than a clean shaven-look

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The 50-year-old has let his grey hair grow out long and opted for beard rather than a clean shaven-lookCredit: Splash
For some sun protection as he played the course near Preston, he chose a bright red Trump cap

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For some sun protection as he played the course near Preston, he chose a bright red Trump capCredit: Splash
The jackpot winner spent £3.5million on holidays and cars in the year after his win

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The jackpot winner spent £3.5million on holidays and cars in the year after his winCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He was quickly taken off the market by childhood sweetheart Nicole Roach and the glamorous pair shared two children.

However, in 2020 the couple split and Karl, now 50, has been spotted out and about looking quite different to how the nation remembered him.

The National Lottery winner was snapped ready for a round of golf, donning a simple blue unbranded tee.

He was spotted changing from causal white trainers into a black pair of spiked golf shoes.

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The 50-year-old has let his grey hair grow out long and opted for a beard rather than a clean shaven-look.

For some sun protection as he played the course near Preston, Lancashire, he chose a bright red Trump cap.

This comes after he was seen in June last year back at work following his split with Nicole.

The businessman had been pictured for the first time in 14 years getting his hands dirty on a property renovation in Blackpool.

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Karl was seen manoeuvring a wheelbarrow of cement on the site before casually hopping into his black Land Rover Discovery – just one of his enviable fleet of cars he purchased after his big win.

The jackpot winner previously spent £3.5million on holidays and cars in the year after his win.

He also poured cash into his buy-to-let property empire – doubling his fortune to a whopping £22million.

Before the ex-Comet manager split from NHS nurse Nicole, they shared a £3.6million five-bedroom Gothic-style mansion he built for them in Fylde, Lancs.

The luxurious property included a large pond on the land, as well as a property for his parents, Keith and Pat, at the front.

A property in Vancouver, Canada was also snapped up by the multi-millionaire.

When Karl won the eye-watering jackpot, he earned the nickname ‘Rollover Romeo’ after his numbers came up when his mum suggested he buy a ticket.

“My mum and dad and brother helped pick some numbers then I went out with my pals,” he said previously.

“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.’

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“So I looked at the numbers and my ticket. Even when Camelot later confirmed the numbers, I couldn’t believe I’d won.

“It was £10,903,198 – a half share of the full Lotto rollover prize.”

Karl put cash into his buy-to-let property empire - doubling his fortune to a whopping £22million

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Karl put cash into his buy-to-let property empire – doubling his fortune to a whopping £22millionCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The 23-year-old with his extensive motor collection and red Ducati

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The 23-year-old with his extensive motor collection and red DucatiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Karl with page 3 girls Dee Ivens and Tracey Coleman after his big win

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Karl with page 3 girls Dee Ivens and Tracey Coleman after his big winCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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