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Single Paul Long reckons his ex-girlfriend might have a few regrets now – as he becomes a Lottery jackpot winner the month after they broke up.

Former Dagenham Ford plant worker Paul, 55, insisted their five-year relationship ended amicably when he moved out of their shared home on February 1.

But after scooping £9.3million in Saturday’s draw , he said: “Let’s be honest, if I was with someone and you’ve just split up and they go and win £9million on the lottery, you’re going to be gutted aren’t you?”

However, his former partner Julie West, 52, will not be entirely cut out off from his new fortune.

(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

“You never know, I might take her for a holiday or a meal,” he said.

When asked by the Mirror if she was happy for Paul, Ms West sighed and said: “I suppose so.”

(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

There could be better news for his true love – Leyton Orient.

At the start of the season lifelong fan Paul was so down on his luck he could not afford a £300 season ticket for himself and son Elliott.

Now he may plough some of his winnings into the East London club he has supported since he was 11.

Paul only bought the winning Lucky Dip ticket because he was on such a high after seeing his beloved team win 3-0 on Saturday against Woking in the National League – the fifth tier of English football.

(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

Orient’s CEO Danny Macklin was at the Camelot press conference yesterday to congratulate Paul and invite him to Monday’s home match against Maidenhead United.

Paul will be given the VIP treatment and has invited Orient chiefs to “convince him” the club is worth investing in.

He said he is unsure about doing so immediately because its main investor, Texas tycoon Kent Teague, has previously admitted he is likely to lose money.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Paul told Macklin: “Kent’s losing money, but if you guys can convince me otherwise then it might be different.”

He told the Mirror: “We’ll see what they say. I haven’t got as many millions to lose as Kent, but if I can help them in some way – whether it be through sponsorship or something – that could be different.”

Paul moved to Wickford, Essex on February 1 after moving out from the home he shared with Julie in Romford, East London, following the breakdown of their five-year relationship.

(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

He was trying to find a job to ensure he could make his monthly payments when his numbers came in on Saturday.

He said of Julie: “I was with her the day I won it. I went to see her on Saturday. We split up amicably.

“She asked if I wanted to stay over on the way back from football on Saturday to look after the cat because she was away. On Sunday she came in when I was on the phone to Camelot.”

A neighbour said: “Paul moved out in February. He was a good bloke and now’s he’s won £9 million – she must be kicking herself.”

But Julie said Paul was “out of order” for claiming she would be upset to miss out on his millions, insisting: “I’m happy for him.”

Down-to-earth Paul celebrated his win with a single bottle of beer and a cup of tea.

(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

He said he might switch to a posher brand of tea but he won’t be shopping for a Lamborghini.

Instead the first thing he did with his cash on Monday was to put down a £250 deposit on a £23,000 Ford EcoSport.

He said: “I had one bottle of Coors Light to celebrate and then thought ‘I know what I need, a cuppa’. I might have added an extra sugar. I think I even watched Sunday Brunch.

“I went to a car show and bought the car – I didn’t want anything too flash.

“Maybe I’ll upgrade to a better brand of tea bag.”

Paul said he originally thought he had landed £9,000, and it was only when he showed a the email from Camelot to a friend that he realised he had become a multi-millionaire.

(Image: PA)

Speaking about the big win, he said: “Leyton Orient had not won at home since Boxing Day, we won 3-0 and I thought, ‘This is brilliant’ – so I bought a random Lucky Dip online.

“I had £7.90 in my account so bought two lines. I woke up the next morning and had an email that I thought said I’d won £9,000.

"I sent it to my mate and he said, ‘Not being funny but you’ve won £9million’. All of a sudden my phone’s red hot – everyone loves you.”

Paul said he thinks his ex-wife Lisa would be happy about his win as it will take care of their three grown-up children for life.

He said: “We’re not friends and we don’t talk but the kids explained to her. She’s happy as the kids will be taken care of.”

He added: “I’m not going to make them millionaires. I think they should learn the value of things. I want to give them a life where I know they’re going to be alright – that’s what I take satisfaction from.

"Buy a couple of properties, probably for them in the future, buy one for myself – again, not a mansion.”

(Image: PA)

Paul, who worked for 10 years at the Dagenham Ford plant in East London, went out for a meal to celebrate with family and friends on Tuesday night.

Again he stuck to just the one beer as he tucked into a meat feast of steak, chicken and ribs.

Thinking of future treats, he said: “I’d like a holiday. I probably won’t do a week in the caravan this time. I fancy a bit of sun.”