A minute’s applause has been held in honour of the winner of one of the UK’s biggest ever Euromillions jackpots, who died after a short illness.

The tribute to Colin Weir took place ahead of kick-off at the Partick Thistle game, a club the late lottery winner had invested heavily in.

Mr Weir and his then wife Chris, from Largs in North Ayrshire, won the £161m prize in July 2011.

In 2013, they set up The Weir Charitable Trust and made a donation to a community football club in Largs.

They also invested in Partick Thistle Football Club, which saw the team’s youth set-up rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and part of their Firhill Stadium being renamed the Colin Weir Stand.

Last month, Mr Weir secured a majority shareholding in the club and promised to give the 55% he owned directly to a fans’ group by March 2020.

Players wore black armbands in tribute to Mr Weir during the game against Greenock Morton on Saturday.

The club tweeted: “On behalf of everyone at Partick Thistle, our love, thoughts and prayers are with the family and close friends of Colin at this most difficult time.”

The former TV cameraman, 71, made the Sunday Times Rich List after winning the Euromillions jackpot with Chris, a former psychiatric nurse.

It was announced in April that they were separating after 38 years of marriage and the split was granted in September, according to reports.

They have two grown-up children.

A spokeswoman for his personal lawyers said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Colin Weir [on Friday] after a short illness.

“We would ask for privacy for his family and friends at this distressing time.

“No further comment will be made other than to offer sincere thanks to the staff of University Hospital Ayr for their care and compassion.”

The £161m the couple won in 2011 was the UK’s biggest win until October this year, when an anonymous ticket holder claimed a £170m jackpot.

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