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Lottery winner's 'time bomb' fear Lottery winner's 'time bomb' fear
(about 24 hours later)
A £19m lottery winner said his joy was overshadowed by "a ticking time bomb" medical condition threatening his life.A £19m lottery winner said his joy was overshadowed by "a ticking time bomb" medical condition threatening his life.
Steve Smith, 58, of Hemel Hempstead, Herts, who won Saturday's jackpot, has an aortic aneurism - a swelling in his body's main artery which could burst. Steve Smith, 58, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, who won the jackpot, has an aortic aneurism - a swelling in his body's main artery which could burst.
Father-of-two Mr Smith, who shares a council flat with wife, Ida, said he would swap the money for his health.Father-of-two Mr Smith, who shares a council flat with wife, Ida, said he would swap the money for his health.
He was diagnosed three years ago but he has to wait until the swelling grows before doctors can operate.He was diagnosed three years ago but he has to wait until the swelling grows before doctors can operate.
Former bingo caller and doorman Mr Smith, said: "If this goes - it can burst at any time - I have a one in 10 chance of living.Former bingo caller and doorman Mr Smith, said: "If this goes - it can burst at any time - I have a one in 10 chance of living.
"It's a ticking time bomb inside me. It's her [Ida] I worry for, it's leaving her behind."It's a ticking time bomb inside me. It's her [Ida] I worry for, it's leaving her behind.
"I would give all that back if I am allowed to still be with her because there are no shops in the cemetery, are there?"I would give all that back if I am allowed to still be with her because there are no shops in the cemetery, are there?
"I can't spend any of it there, I want to spend it with her. I want to spend my life with her, I want to see my grandchildren spend their pensions."I can't spend any of it there, I want to spend it with her. I want to spend my life with her, I want to see my grandchildren spend their pensions.
"The youngest one is six years old. That's how long I want to live. I want to see them get married and go down the aisle and all that business.""The youngest one is six years old. That's how long I want to live. I want to see them get married and go down the aisle and all that business."
An operation on his condition is not possible as the aneurism has to be a certain size before any surgery, Mr Smith said.An operation on his condition is not possible as the aneurism has to be a certain size before any surgery, Mr Smith said.
"I can't go private and say 'fix this for me now, it doesn't matter what it costs'. It's not like that. It has to get to a certain size before they can operate on it," he added."I can't go private and say 'fix this for me now, it doesn't matter what it costs'. It's not like that. It has to get to a certain size before they can operate on it," he added.