London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Mar 22, 2026

Lottery winner Gillian Bayford claimed £40k furlough cash despite £148m jackpot

Lottery winner Gillian Bayford claimed £40k furlough cash despite £148m jackpot

BRAZEN Gillian Bayford claimed nearly £40,000 in furlough cash — despite winning £148million on the Lottery.

Gillian, 48, who drives a £150,000 Bentley Bentayga, took a handout for her £17million property business.

Jackpot winner Gillian Bayford, 48, claimed nearly £40,000 in furlough cash despite her £148million win

The EuroMillions winner said 'I’m not paying it back' as she took a handout for her £17million property business


She said: “I’m not paying it back.”

Firms run by the £148million EuroMillions winner and her convicted fraudster husband Brian Deans claimed nearly £40,000 of taxpayers’ money.

But the mum of three insists she had every right to it. She said: “I’m not paying it back. Obviously everyone’s entitled to furlough and everyone’s claimed it.”

She admitted getting £7,200 to fund a part-time worker at her A&G Properties Scotland business, which has £17million worth of homes. But she refused to say who they were, blasting: “That’s nothing to do with you.”

Records show she also claimed up to £10,000 for her Dundee salon Cameron’s Hair, which was run by a pal until they had a row.

Brian also made two claims of up to £10,000 each for his investment firm BGD Property Developments, which has one employee.

Gillian said her accountant advised her to claim for the cash, and added: “If HMRC comes back and says we have to pay that back then it’ll be paid back.”

She even whinged about her jackpot, saying: “You’ve been fortunate to win the lucky ticket, but you have to help this person, this person, this person, this person.”

The millionaire even whinged about her win: 'You’ve been fortunate to win the lucky ticket, but you have to help this person, this person, this person, this person'

Gillian drives a £150,000 Bentley Bentayga


'Should be ashamed of herself'


Tory MP Nigel Mills — a former chartered accountant — last night blasted: “Gillian Bayford should be ashamed of herself. The furlough scheme was designed to save jobs, not top up the incomes of multi-millionaires.

“It’s ridiculous she’s claimed taxpayers’ money while renting out houses from her personal property empire.

"We’ll all be paying more tax for years to come to fund claims like these. If individuals and businesses can afford to repay it, they should.”

Gillian shared a record £148million EuroMillions prize in 2012 with her husband Adrian Bayford, 50, but they later split.

She had a relationship with Audi salesman Alan Warnock before hooking up with Gavin Innes. Gillian, of Dundee, admitted a domestically aggravated statutory breach of the peace against him in 2017.

The following year, she married Deans, who was jailed for six months in 2012 after he stole £13,500 in fake refunds from Tesco.

Tory MP Nigel Mills last night blasted: 'Gillian Bayford should be ashamed of herself'

Mr Gills added 'If individuals and businesses can afford to repay it, they should'


Last month, it was revealed that she had given birth to a lockdown baby girl at the age of 48.

A string of rich celebs have used the furlough scheme, launched last April. Businesses run by film director Guy Ritchie claimed up to £25,000 while F1 heiress’s firms Petra Ecclestone got up to £10,000.

HMRC said: “Anyone can make a voluntary repayment.”

It comes as a string of rich celebs have used the furlough scheme, including Guy Ritchie

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Duchess of Sussex Secures ‘As Ever’ Trademark Rights in Australia Ahead of High-Profile Visit
UK Reaffirms Security as Officials Reject Claims of Immediate Iranian Missile Threat
Rising Middle East Tensions Spark ‘Trumpflation’ Debate Over Impact on UK Households
UK Minister Says No Evidence Iran Can Strike Europe Despite Heightened Warnings
British-Iranians Voice Safety Concerns to Authorities as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Confirmed Meningitis Cases Linked to Kent Outbreak Revised Down to Twenty
UK Government Sees No Evidence Iran Can Strike London Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Debate Grows Over Recognition of Indigenous Cultural Icons in the United Kingdom
Iran Missile Launch Toward Diego Garcia Raises Questions After Failed Strike on US–UK Base
Donald Trump Amplifies Viral Satirical Clip Highlighting UK–US Political Dynamics
UK Satirical Show Draws Attention with Sketch Referencing Trump and Prince Andrew
Meghan Markle’s Possible UK Return Sparks Renewed Attention on Sussex Role
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
Northern Lights Expected Over UK Skies Tonight Amid Strong Solar Activity
UK Condemns Iran Missile Strike and Warns Against Threats to British Personnel
UK Warns of Global Flight Disruptions as Iran Conflict Escalates Under Trump’s Leadership
UK Condemns Iran After Missile Strike Targets Strategic Diego Garcia Base
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in UK Reinforces Urgency of Vaccination Campaigns
Iran Launches Long-Range Missile Strike on Remote US-UK Base, Signaling Expanded Reach
Iran Launches Long-Range Missile Strike on Remote US-UK Base, Signaling Expanded Reach
UK Rules Out Cyprus Base Role in Joint US Self-Defence Framework
UK Ends Hereditary Peerage Rights in Parliament in Historic Constitutional Reform
Lord Walney Warns of Expanding Iranian Influence Networks Within the United Kingdom
Iranian National Among Two Arrested After Attempt to Access UK Nuclear Submarine Base
Deregulation, Artificial Intelligence, and Fraud Laws Reshape UK Financial Services Landscape
UK Considers Lower Speed Limits to Reduce Fuel Use Amid Escalating Energy Crisis
UK Borrowing Costs Surge to Post-Crisis High as Markets React to Inflation and War Risks
UK Government Prepares Emergency Economic Measures as Iran Conflict Fuels Financial Risks
Meningitis B Outbreak in the UK Raises Urgent Health Warnings as Cases Surge
Iran Issues Stark Warning to Britain Over US Base Access Amid Expanding Conflict
United Kingdom Authorizes US Strikes from British Bases as Iran Threatens Key Shipping Routes
Reform UK Suspends Scottish Candidate Following Financial Misconduct Allegations
Apple issues an unusual warning: this is how your iPhone can be hacked without you doing anything
UK and Nigeria Reach Agreement to Accelerate Return of Irregular Migrants
UK Sets New Aid Priorities Following Significant Budget Reductions
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
UK Plans 50% Steel Tariffs in Bold Move to Protect Domestic Industry
Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through UK Economy as Energy Costs and Trade Risks Surge
UK Health Officials Warn Kent Meningitis Outbreak Still Active as Cases Continue to Rise
UK Climate Progress Faces Scrutiny Over Reliance on Carbon Accounting Methods
UK Deploys Advisers to United States to Shape Plan for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Amazon Bets on AI-Driven Alexa Upgrade to Revive UK Smart Speaker Market
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
GB News Faces Regulatory Complaints Over On-Air Remarks on ‘Genocide’ Claims
UK Signals Expanded Support for Gulf Allies as Iranian Attacks Intensify Regional Threats
×