06 November 2023 , 20:27
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Iconic TV game show Deal Or No Deal is set to return within days with Stephen Mulhern set to host.
The long-awaited reboot of the show, which originally aired on Channel 4 from 2005 to 2016, will be making a comeback on TV screens, as ITV have finally announced it will be on air later this month.
The legendary game show was first hosted by Noel Edmonds, and Deal Or No Deal built up a huge cult following thanks to the camaraderie between contestants, intense theories about the boxes and suspense over opening the red or blue containers as viewers hoped it wouldn’t be the dreaded 1p box. Brand new host Stephen Mulhern hopes to do the show justice, and will be making his debut on November 20th at 4pm on ITV1.
The hugely popular daytime quiz show ran for 11 years on Channel 4 (PA)Despite most of the format remaining the same, there is one huge difference, and that’s the mount of the cash prize. Due to the cost of living crisis, it’s been slashed from £250,000 to £100,000, and a source told The Sun it was a “strange sign of the times”. They added: “Times are tough for ITV just as it is for all other companies across the country, and £100,000 is still a lot of money these days.”
Deal Or No Deal ran for 11 years before it was pulled from the schedule by Channel 4 after dwindling viewing figures. Before it was scrapped, host Noel handed out £40million in winnings, but just eight contestants landed the £250,000 jackpot box. Speaking about taking over as host, Stephen revealed he was handpicked by Noel.
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Stephen said he was handpicked for the role by Noel himself (Getty Images)
The presenter has hosted other shows such as Catchphrase, This Morning and Britain's Got More Talent (Getty Images)During an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show earlier this year, the Catchphrase presenter was floored when Noel suggested he was perfect for the Deal Or No Deal job. “He did it for 10 years, and he's been really incredibly supportive,” he told Chris. “He sent out a comment… he said there's nobody better, in his view, to host it, which was like, wow! To hear that from him, because he didn't need to say that.”
In a statement confirming the news, Stephen said he was “beyond excited” to be the new presenter. “I’ve always been such a huge fan of the show, so much so, I’ve been practising at home with small cereal boxes! It looks so simple but it's an incredibly compelling game for both those playing and the viewers watching at home. It’s one of the greatest shows of all time and to be the new host is an honour! I can’t wait to get started,” he shared.