A POPULAR chef insists he will stay true to his humble Bridgwater roots after becoming an overnight millionaire.

Neil Baker has quit his job working up to 70 hours a week in the kitchen at the Tudor Hotel in St Mary’s Street since scooping nearly £1.6million on the National Lottery.

The 37-year-old former Blake School student told last week how he would always buy four lines for the Saturday draw, but on this occasion he had an extra pound in his pocket so he bought a Lucky Dip from Morrison’s in Broadway.

He shoved the tickets behind the visor in his Jaguar and forgot about them until his mum suggested checking them over a week later.

When they saw the six numbers on the screen, 5, 20, 25, 30, 36, 47, and 15, matched those on his ticket the pair could not believe their eyes.

But the next day Neil’s jackpot win was confirmed by Camelot and he sat down his boss at the Tudor Mike Mouzoure and broke his good news.

Neil, who plays rugby for Bridgwater side Morganians, says he has no big plans for the money other than taking time away from work and caring for his ill mum, who he lives with.

Bugle player Neil is also planning a pilgrimage to Belgium to visit the grave of his great-grandfather, who was killed in the First World War, and play the Last Post to fulfil his late father’s wish.

He said: “I don’t think the money will change me. I’m not planning to move and I won’t change my car - this money will give me freedom and security.

“I’ll definitely stay in Bridgwater as all my friends and family are here.”

NEIL’S windfall comes exactly 15 years after Brent Knoll betting shop manager Tania Hazleton pocketed just over £1.6million on the National Lottery.

Following her win in February 1996 she said: “I was in a state of total shock and disbelief and started crying. I kept having to re-check my ticket.”