National Lottery players urged to check tickets as £1million jackpot prize remains unclaimed

The ticket was purchased at a shop in the Thurrock area for the draw held on October 13, just over a fortnight ago.

Allwyn, which operates the National Lottery, has confirmed the winning ticket matched the Millionaire Maker code JHDR 46235.

The holder of the lucky ticket may be entirely unaware they are sitting on a life-changing prize.

An appeal has been launched to track down the missing millionaire, who has yet to make contact with lottery organisers despite weeks having passed since the draw took place.

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, said: “This is not a drill.

“There is someone out there with no idea they are the owner of a £1million prize which could change their life forever.

“And we are on a mission to locate the owner of the lucky pink ticket and pay them their winnings.”

He added: “Did you buy a EuroMillions ticket in a shop in Thurrock for the 13 October draw?

“If so, please check your tickets.

“If you didn’t, then ask your friends, tell your family, make sure your colleagues know help us get the word out there and change someone’s life.”

The winner has until midnight on April 11 2027, to come forward and collect their winnings.

National Lottery players are given a 180-day window from the date of each draw to make their claim.

Those who have lost or misplaced their ticket are not necessarily out of luck.

Anyone who believes they have a legitimate claim but no longer has the physical ticket can submit a written claim directly to Allwyn.

However, this written claim must be lodged within 30 days of the original draw date, making the deadline for that route considerably tighter than the standard claiming period.

Should no valid claim be made before the deadline, the entire prize fund along with any accumulated interest will be directed towards National Lottery-funded projects throughout the UK.

Allwyn says players collectively help generate roughly £33million each week for good causes, while more than £53billion raised since the lottery’s launch, supporting hundreds of projects in every postcode area across the country.

Anyone who thinks they hold the winning ticket or has questions about any National Lottery draw within the 180-day claiming period is encouraged to get in touch by calling the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or emailing [email protected].