‘Rollover Romeo’ lottery winner who is worth £22m divorces wife – who is set to get half his fortune

‘Rollover Romeo’ lottery winner who scooped £11m jackpot in 1996 and is now worth £22m divorces his childhood-sweetheart wife – who is set to get half his fortune

  • Karl Crompton of Lancashire took home £11million win aged just 23 in 1996
  • He was formerly dubbed Britain’s most eligible bachelor and ‘Rollover Romeo’ 
  • But he married Nicole Roach in 2006 and couple have two children together
  • Did not sign a prenup when they married and she is set to get half his fortune 

A lottery winner worth £22million was today revealed to be in the midst of a divorce, with his childhood sweetheart ex-wife set to get half his fortune.

Karl Crompton, of Lancashire, who was once dubbed Britain’s most eligible bachelor and the ‘Rollover Romeo’, took home his £11million winnings aged just 23 in 1996.

He married his childhood sweetheart Nicole Roach in 2006 and the couple, who did not sign a prenuptial agreement when they wed, have two children together.

They are now believed to be separated with Mrs Crompton living in a different property and no longer wearing her wedding ring.  

Karl Crompton pictured in the BBC documentary Secret Life of Happiness in January 2001

Mr Crompton (centre) with his parents Patricia and Keith (back and right) and brother Sean (left) celebrates his National Lottery win at Moor Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth in 1996

Mr Crompton (centre) with his parents Patricia and Keith (back and right) and brother Sean (left) celebrates his National Lottery win at Moor Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth in 1996

Mr Crompton was living with his parents in a three-bedroom semi five miles from Blackpool when his numbers came up in May 1996.

In the year following his win, the former £100-a-week Comet trainee blew £3.5million of his jackpot on luxury cars and fancy holidays.

But he cleverly invested his funds after settling down with nurse Ms Roach and now has a substantial portfolio – including a £2million home in Fylde, Lancashire.

Ms Roach was in a relationship with someone else when Mr Crompton got lucky with his lottery win in 1996 – but the pair got together one year later. 

Mr Crompton (pictured in 1996) was dubbed the 'Rollover Romeo' following his lottery win

Mr Crompton (pictured in 1996) was dubbed the ‘Rollover Romeo’ following his lottery win

Mr Crompton cleverly invested his funds after settling down with nurse Nicole and now has a substantial portfolio. He bought this five-bedroom house in Lancashire

Mr Crompton cleverly invested his funds after settling down with nurse Nicole and now has a substantial portfolio. He bought this five-bedroom house in Lancashire

In 1999, he bought 11 acres in Elswick in rural Lancashire for £500,000 and demolished a former hospital on the site.

Mr Crompton then spent £1.5million building a 6,500 sq ft, five-bedroom house in traditional brick and stone, with a pool, security and entertainment systems.

He moved into the house with Ms Roach and their son Ethan in 2001, and also bought eight buy-to-let properties in the area.

Then in summer 2004, the couple spent £250,000 on a 16-year-old house in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, one hour from Whistler ski resort in Canada. 

Mr Crompton (pictured in May 1996) was a £100-a-week Comet trainee before his lottery win

Mr Crompton (pictured in May 1996) was a £100-a-week Comet trainee before his lottery win

Mr Crompton spent £1.5million building a five-bedroom home in Lancashire (pictured in 2004)

Mr Crompton spent £1.5million building a five-bedroom home in Lancashire (pictured in 2004)

The three-bedroom contemporary property is set into a rock face with spectacular views – but the couple rented it out rather than using it as a holiday home.

Last week, Ms Roach was not wearing a ring when entering a Range Rover. She is also understood to now live 20 minutes away after moving out of the family home.

A source told The Sun: ‘We’ve heard they are divorcing and she’s expected to get half. We’re all a bit worried about Karl. He seems heartbroken.’

Mr and Mrs Cropton did wish to comment. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk