THE LAST TURKEY

Vivian Nicholson famously claimed she would “spend, spend, spend” after winning £152,300 (worth about £3 million in today’s money) when playing the Castleford football pools in 1961. Since then she has been widowed, married five times, suffered from a stroke and been treated for alcoholism, deported from Malta, became a Jehovah’s Witnesses, tried to commit suicide and spent time in a mental institution. She spent her winnings on Harrods dresses, luxury cars and holidays and was the subject of the West End production of her life, aptly called “Spend, Spend, Spend”, with Barbara Dickenson playing her role. She is now living on £87 a week pension.