Stevenage dad takes driving lesson in supercar after £1m EuroMillions win

Darren Howard, 43, from Stevenage, won £1 million in the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw on April 17.

After years of relying on lifts from friends and family, Mr Howard’s first time behind the wheel was in a high-performance McLaren 570GT4.

Mr Howard said: “It’s mad really, I love Formula One, but I can’t drive, and now my first time behind the wheel is in a supercar.

“Being surrounded by cars, like this McLaren 570GT4, a full-blown race car, is not your average introduction to driving.

“But then again, having £1M paid into your bank account isn’t exactly average either.”

He plans to use his new driving skills to improve his quality of life and provide more opportunities for his young son.

Mr Howard said: “Being able to drive means everything. It means more work opportunities and being my own boss.

“But most importantly, it means adventures with my boy.”

Darren’s road to riches was very much a family affair, with his 68-year-old dad one of the first to discover Darren was a winner.

Mr Howard said: “I’m staying with mum and dad at the moment; dad walked into the kitchen at 6.30am and I greeted him with ‘how does it feel to have a millionaire son?’

“He looked at me, laughed and then said he was furious. He’s been a regular player for years so was not pleased I’d beaten him to it.”

His father’s frustration soon turned to excitement, and he hurried Mr Howard into the car and headed to make the claim in person. 

He said: “Perhaps we were a little too keen. The offices aren’t open at the weekend, so we were greeted by a couple of bemused security guards who, when we told them why this father and son duo were on their doorstep at 7am, congratulated us, and gave us the correct number to call.”

Looking ahead, Mr Howard said wants to use his win to create security for his family and reward his parents for their support.

“I’m going to treat mum and dad properly because they’ve always been there for me. And I’m going to buy a home for me and my son, somewhere we can call ours forever.”

He’s also planning a dream holiday together.

“There’ll be a new work van and a few treats too. Passports are top of the list and then we’re doing Disney World Florida properly, all the bells and whistles.”

And while most people learn to drive in a small hatchback, Darren said wouldn’t change a thing.

“First lesson in a supercar, certainly one way to celebrate becoming a millionaire,” he added.

Have you got a story you want to share? Get in touch at oliver.murphy@newsquest.co.uk