£9.7m Lottery Winner Michael Carroll Now Works Seven Day Weeks As Coalman

Despite blowing a fortune that would last most folks a lifetime, Michael Carroll claims that he is 'happier now' he 'has his life back'.

The 36-year-old won the gigantic prize after buying a ticket for £1 and immediately left his job on the bins and started living a lavish lifestyle.

Rather than moping about his loss, he says that he's had an incredible ride and has no regrets about spending his money in such a short amount of time.

Michael, who now lives up in Scotland, squandered the jackpot on drink, drugs, sex, and living the life. He appeared in court more than 30 times - earning the nickname 'King of the Chavs' - and drove luxury cars, living in three expensive mansions.

"I don't look back with any regrets that's for sure. It was 10 years of fun for a pound, you can't go wrong with that.

"I wouldn't want to turn the clock back. But I live a good, free lifestyle now and I'm happier because I've got my life back."

During the years after his win, he immediately gave away £4m of his winnings - £1m each to his now ex-wife, Sandra and her mum, £1m each to his mum and aunt.

That wasn't enough to save his marriage, however.

That left him with just his wild lifestyle of party holidays, fast cars, and fast living, to fall back on.

By 2012, even that had deserted him. His mansions had fallen into disrepair and been sold, and he had been barred from every single pub within miles of his houses.

Now, he has moved to Scotland for a new start and rents a £500 per month house and often walks to work.

He does still have a go on the lottery, though.

"People often say to me, what does it feel like to have lost all that money? I tell them I didn't lose it...I spent it!"

Is it better to have had the cash and lost it, than to have never had it at all?