Tony Pearce, 71, and his 63-year-old spouse Deb Pearce began to feed Billy the black cat at a time after they had been in monetary problem.

Shortly afterwards, the pair, of Southend, Essex, gained £1 million on the National Lottery in 2017 and their pet Billy has shared of their wealth.

Billy, who’s considered eight years outdated, holidays with the couple at their second residence in Norfolk, has a “large provider” so he can transfer round whereas travelling and enjoys a choice of meals to choose from.

Mrs Pearce stated: “Some individuals say black cats are unfortunate, I’d say nothing might be farther from the reality!

“When Billy appeared we had been near promoting our beloved residence and turning into strays ourselves.

“Tony had stopped working as a result of unwell well being and we had been in severe debt.

“It seemed like our solely choice was to enter rented lodging then, six months after Billy arrived, woman luck struck and our lives modified for good.

“We had been capable of keep in our residence and renovate it into our personal good slice of heaven.

“We’ve loved holidays away and, nearer to residence, purchased a spot in Norfolk, someplace we’ve got at all times cherished spending time and someplace the entire household can take pleasure in.

“To prime it off, we lastly stated ‘I do’ at our dream marriage ceremony.”

Billy is now part of the family and the couple have spared no expense in looking after him, paying for twice daily insulin injections after he was diagnosed with diabetes and putting him on a tailored hypoallergenic diet.

“Aside from having us on name for his twice-daily injections, we additionally leap by means of hoops for his catering whims,” stated Mrs Pearce.

“Perhaps it is as a result of his days as a stray when he should have loved a really different eating regimen, however now we’ve got to maintain a choice of meals for him.

“If he has greater than three days on the identical flavour, he turns up his nostril and whereas he enjoys the rooster and vegetable meal, Billy does not just like the peas.

“I discover myself rooting by means of his meals, choosing out the peas and questioning who’s the National Lottery millionaire round right here?!”

Mr Pearce stated he purchased a “large provider” for Billy to travel with them to their Norfolk holiday home “so he has area to maneuver about on the journey”.

“I assumed he may discover it too traumatic the primary time however he settled down and slept the entire approach,” he stated.

“Now, every time the provider comes out of the loft he hops in as if to say ‘come on, let’s get going!’

“To ensure that Norfolk is a house from residence, he has the very same set-up there as he has in Essex and this degree of consideration appears to go well with him properly.

“He arrives, has a bit sniff across the decking after which settles down as if he is by no means been away.

“When I discover myself paying the invoice for vet care or Billy’s specialist eating regimen, that is available in at greater than our annual journey to The Savoy, I can not assist considering that it is likely to be Billy who can be fortunate.

“It’s not a foul life for a Southend stray who clearly turned up on the suitable doorstep on the proper time and proved to us that black cats are actually fortunate!”