The Lottery Winners have come home to a permanent reminder of how far they’ve come, with a Believe Star unveiled in their honour outside Leigh Town Hall.
The band are made up of singer/bassist Katie Lloyd and drummer Joe Singleton, both from Lowton, and Thom Rylance (vocals/guitar) and Rob Lally (guitar/vocals) from Astley and Tyldesley. Since forming in Leigh in 2008, they’ve scored two number one albums and a legion of loyal fans.
They were presented with the star on Tuesday, 3 November. Family, friends, local councillors and Wigan Council representatives joined them for the unveiling.
Wigan Council’s Believe Star scheme began in 2012 and recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to the borough. It was announced earlier this year that the Lottery Winners would receive one, alongside The Lathums and Mike Sharkey, who are being honoured in Billy Boston Square in Wigan.
Cllr 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 four-piece have had two Number One albums, ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’ and ‘KOKO’, and have supported artists including Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams and Richard Ashcroft. In May 2026 they headlined a sold-out hometown show at Leigh Sports Village, a moment the band have described as career defining.
They have also supported the borough’s arts and culture projects. One of these, led by Northern Heart Film and backed by Wigan Council, saw 22 young people make a feature-length documentary about the band in the run-up to the Leigh Sports Village gig.
Lead singer Thom has spoken openly about his ADHD diagnosis and hopes the band’s success will inspire others with similar experiences, as well as young musicians and creatives.
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.”