A BAND has been honoured with a Believe Star outside Leigh Town Hall.
The Lottery Winners received the recognition from Wigan Council as part of its Believe Star scheme, which celebrates residents who have made outstanding contributions.
Formed in Leigh in 2008, the four-piece band has achieved two number one albums, headlined a homecoming show at Leigh Sports Village, and supported major artists including Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, and Richard Ashcroft.
Councillor Nazia Rehman, leader of Wigan Council, said: "It was a real privilege to present the Believe Star to Thom, Robert, Katie, and Joe – otherwise known as The Lottery Winners.
"Believe Stars are the highest honour we can bestow in Wigan Borough, recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to our communities.
"The band represent our borough with immense pride, and their talent, determination, and enthusiasm serve as an inspiration to so many people, not just here in Wigan Borough, but across the UK.
"So we were incredibly proud to host this special occasion, formally recognising the remarkable success of the Lottery Winners and celebrating an outstanding career that continues to go from strength to strength."
The band attended the unveiling at Leigh Town Hall on Tuesday, November 3, joined by family, friends, local councillors, and Wigan Council representatives.
Their two most recent albums, Anxiety Replacement Therapy and KOKO, both reached number one on the UK Album Charts.
The band’s sold-out show at Leigh Sports Village was a defining moment in their career.
The Lottery Winners have also supported arts and culture projects in the borough, including a documentary created by 22 young people through a scheme led by Northern Heart Film and backed by Wigan Council.
Frontman Thom has spoken openly about his ADHD diagnosis and hopes the band’s achievements will inspire others with similar experiences.
Thom said: "It’s crazy to think that the songs that we’ve made, written, and rehearsed in Leigh, have taken us around the world, and to get to come home to this Believe Star is overwhelming.
"This means the world to us, and it proves that music matters to the community.
"I think this proves that if you find your people and find the thing that you’re really good at, and you work hard and you’re passionate about it, then you can achieve amazing things.
"I hope that this inspires another generation of musicians, working class creatives, or kids who might not know what they want to be, to know that what they’re doing is important.
"We’re so proud of where we’re from, and to have our star alongside those that mean a lot to so many people, is a real honour."
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