Deal Or No Deal viewers slam show as contestant had 'unfair advantage'

08 December 2023 , 19:15

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Deal Or No Deal viewers slam show as contestant had 'unfair advantage'

The latest Deal or No Deal episodes with new host Stephen Mulhern have already caused quite a stir - with some disappointed viewers of the ITV show branding it a 'fix.'

The game show is proving controversial as some fans have witnessed contestants winning huge cash prizes - despite many of them having joined in the first episode. The reboot sees contestants try to open 22 red boxes and take on the infamous Banker in a bid to claim life-changing money, with a top prize of £100,000.

During today's episode, December 8, viewers fumed as a new contestant was picked to play against the Banker while some returning players stood watching from the sidelines. Bursting with excitement, deaf contestant Jane W was escorted to the front desk by an interpreter for a chance to win big.

Jane was more than excited after being picked (ITV)

However, viewers at home were left unimpressed since Jane only joined the show this week, while some other players who had been in the studio longer weren't picked. Several fans branded the move 'unfair.' Taking to the platform X, one person said: "Ah yes, fair. She's been here three days, some of them been there three weeks, just bonkers." A second angry fan wrote: "She's just come on a few days ago."

Jane had some pretty tough rounds, with the contestant choosing several reds and the Banker’s first offer being £1,100. After being offered £3,500, £6,800, and £3,000, Jane eventually accepted a final offer of £1,600 but in the end, it was the wrong decision as she had £2,000.

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The contestant sadly lost out (ITV)

It comes just a day after contestant Brad Wale achieved over £100,000 in donations after heartbreakingly sharing he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on the show. The contestant, who is from Shropshire, explained that doctors warned he could have as little as two years left to live.

Fellow contestant Rochelle Hughes started a GoFundMe page with a target of £20,000 to help raise money for his bucket list. Within a few days, the fundraiser had surpassed £40,000. Brad - who won just £5 during his stint - said: "You’ll never begin to understand how much you’ve changed my life or what you’ve done for me.

The reboot series returned on November 20, with Stephen, 46, replacing long-time presenter Noel Edmonds. "Deal Or No Deal was not only one of my favourite shows, it was my dad’s favourite show - when I told him I was doing it, it was like he’d won the lottery," Stephen previously said about his new role.

Ayaan Ali