A BRITISH bus driver netted more than £2 million ($3.3 million) on the lottery a day after his divorce came through, The Sun reports.

Kevin Halstead, 50, went out for a drink with friends after his decree absolute arrived in the post last Friday.

He bought a lottery ticket the next day – and was gobsmacked when his lucky numbers came up later that evening, The Sun reports.

Kevin could have been forced to hand half the £2,302,668 to ex-wife Helen if the divorce had taken just a few days longer.

But the astonishing timing of the win means he and his new partner will be able to keep the lot.

A friend said: "Kevin was having a drink with his mates after his paperwork came through.

"He buys a ticket the following morning and scoops the jackpot. You couldn't make it up."

Kevin and his partner, of Chorley, Lancashire, were whisked to a secret location yesterday by National Lottery organizer Camelot.

But they are set to face TV cameras overnight.

They shared last Saturday's £4.6m jackpot with another punter after both matched numbers 23, 25, 28, 33, 44 and 49.

Ex-wife Helen said: "We are the best of friends. In fact, we get on better now than when we were married.

"It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. I wish him all the luck in the world - he deserves it."



Originally published as Bus driver wins lotto day after divorce