09 November 2023 , 21:02
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Stephen Mulhern has told how Noel Edmonds wished him luck taking over his old show - but only after pranking the magician.
Mulhern, 46, will take over the presenting duties on the gameshow later this month on ITV. The show was a huge hit on Channel 4 for 11 years, thanks to Noel the 15 cash boxes and The Banker.
The magician said: “I was doing a magic show at a private party and halfway through my magic act, I hear, ‘Hello, Stephen.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ And then, instantly, I see what looks like Gandalf walking towards the stage in the whole get-up.
“He walks up And I think ‘It’s Ant and Dec. It’s the last year of Takeaway here we go. They’re going to try and get me double time. I’m slightly freaking out at this point because I don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s got a big old stick. He says ‘We need to have a conversation, you and I. In fact, let me put it a different way. Deal Or No Deal’.
Stephen is fronting the new show (WireImage)
Noel gave Stephen is blessing ahead of his new role (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)“He takes off his mask. It’s Noel Edmonds! I could not believe that. He was friends with the guy whose party it was.” Noel, 74, went on to wish Mulhern luck and give him advice - and a gotcha from his old Noel’s House Party show - at their meeting in September.
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The show is returning after a break of seven years. It was famous for its red boxes ranging in cash prizes from 1p to the £250,000 jackpot as well as cash offers made to contestants by a mystery figure on the phone called The Banker.
Mulhern added: “Noel stuck around after the magic show. I spoke to him for about an hour and a half, and it was just brilliant. He’s so humble, so gracious. He told me ‘When they first brought it to the UK, they wanted to make it more about the money and the boxes like they do in America. And I said no, this is a people show. It should be about the people.’
“And it all made sense. We have some amazing moments with our contestants in the series. Noel said he had ten glorious years on Deal Or No Deal. He said it is a very special show and he is right, I can’t wait for people to see it again.”
Deal or No Deal starts on Monday November 20 at 4pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.