A woman who won a significant amount in the Euromillions lottery managed to protect her massive jackpot from her deceitful husband by employing a clever strategy that shielded her from his reckless spending habits.
Gillian Bayford, aged 52, separated from her husband Adrian just over a year after winning £148 million in the lotto in August 2012. She described the period following her win as filled with demanding and greedy people. Following her divorce from her ex-husband, whom she referred to as a “gold digger,” Gillian remarried property developer Brian Deans and started a new family, welcoming a child in 2018.
Deans, who has a criminal record for fraud and had served time for stealing over £10,000 from a Tesco store in Dundee, reportedly squandered Gillian’s money during their relationship. However, Gillian managed to protect most of her winnings from him through a strategic legal maneuver.
Reports indicate that Deans splurged on luxury items like cars, watches, and extravagant vacations, and also received substantial sums from Gillian for investment purposes. By the time of their divorce in April 2025, it was estimated that Deans had spent up to £5 million of the lottery funds.
Financial records from 2019 to 2021 revealed that Deans’ property development company, BGD Property Developments Ltd, had received loans from Gillian for four properties. The company owed significant sums to creditors, with Deans himself borrowing from the business, resulting in substantial debt.
The records highlighted that Gillian was listed as the lender for the majority of the loans, with Deans having debts exceeding £500,000 and likely owing even more to his ex-wife. Despite these financial challenges, Gillian managed to retain a substantial portion of her lottery winnings, leaving her with around £74 million after her first marriage.
Gillian’s foresight in implementing a pre-nuptial agreement safeguarded the remaining lottery funds for herself and her family. A source close to her during the divorce proceedings confirmed that Deans would not benefit significantly financially from the separation due to the pre-nuptial arrangement, ensuring that Gillian and her family’s financial security remained intact.