Deal or No Deal frequently asked questions
Below we have listed some of the most asked questions regarding the show. If there is something that is not covered in the questions below that you would like to know more about try our Deal Or No Deal forum.
1. Has any contestant walked away with the 1p?
2. Has anyone won the £250,000?
3. Will anyone win the £250,000 again?
4. Is there really a Banker at the end of the phone or is Noel just making it up?
5. Who is the Banker?
6. How many shows do you film a day? Some contestants seem to be on the show for a long time, do all these people take over a month off work?
7. For how long will Deal Or No Deal run?
8. Where is the show filmed and can I be in the audience?
9. How do the 22 contestants choose their boxes at random?
10. Are the contestants given any notice as to when they will be chosen?
11. How do you find contestants that can take so much time off?
12. Why don't you do a celebrity version?
13. How can I be a contestant on the show?
14. Why do people bring systems when it is a random game of chance?
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Q1. Has any contestant walked away with the 1p?
Yes. The unfortunate Nick Bain became the first contestant to leave the Deal Or No Deal player's table with 1p. He turned down a very respectable £9,000 at the third Bank offer and from then systematically knocked out the high numbers. Nick got down to the last two boxes with £100 and 1p and walked away with the lowest amount on the board. Nick is the founder of the 1p Club and he is often referred to. Subsequently Nick's club has welcomed several more members.
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Q2. Has anyone won the £250,000?
Yes! Laura Pearce won the £250,000 jackpot which was transmitted on Janurary 7th 2007. To read all about Laura's game click here
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Q3. Will anyone win the £250,000 again?
Yes. As well as in the UK, the top amount has been won in some other countries that have Deal or No Deal. Several things have to be taken into consideration - the configuration of the board, the determination and courage of the player. The player just has to have the conviction to go to the end.
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Q4. Is there really a Banker at the end of the phone or is Noel just making it up?
Of course there really is a Banker at the end of the phone. Many contestants have now had the chance to speak to the Banker personally and even some audience members. Occasionally Noel will hold the microphone to the telephone and you can here the Banker's blood-chilling laugh.
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Q5. Who is the Banker?
The Banker is an enigma. He is a shadow, a wraith, rarely seen in daylight, in fact rarely seen at all. No one on the production actually knows the true identity of the Banker. There are many theories, some plausible, some just plain ridiculous.
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Q6. How many shows do you film a day?
Some contestants seem to be on the show for a long time, do all these people take over a month off work?
We film 3 shows a day, 5 days a week for two weeks at a time. We film 15 shows a week. We do ask for a commitment for up to four weeks. Lucy Harrington attended a record breaking 50 shows our longest and one of our most loved contestants.
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Q7. For how long will Deal or No Deal run?
The show was initially commissioned 66 shows, which would have been around an 11 week run, showing 6 days a week. However because of the staggering popularity and high viewing figures Channel 4 requested another 230 shows in December 2005. There are plans to continue the show into 2007.
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Q8. Where is the show filmed and can I be in the audience?
The show is filmed in Bristol. If you would like to be in the audience please call us on 0117 316 0860 or email dond_audience@endemoluk.com.
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Q9. How do the 22 contestants choose their boxes at random?
The sealed boxes are brought into the studio under the supervision of the Independent Adjudicator. Each contestant then picks from a bag of numbered balls. Each contestant is then allocated the corresponding box to their numbered ball.
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Q10. Are the contestants given any notice as to when they will be chosen?
The production team pre-select the contestants at the start of each record day. The contestants do not know who will be chosen.
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Q11. How do you find contestants that can take so much time off?
People are really committed to the show. They sacrifice their holidays; they turn down work if they are self- employed. We have even had a few contestants that have given up their jobs to be on the show!
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Q12. Why don't you do a celebrity version?
As yet we have no plans to make a celebrity special. The contestants play a massive role in the show, their team and family dynamic is essential. They invest a lot of time and effort being in the line-up. The system we have guarantees each contestant a chance to sit at the player's table.
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Q13. How can I become a contestant on the show?
Firstly you need to fill in an application form online.
If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to an audition and awarded a bronze ticket.
The audition is in two stages. If you are selected to go through to the second stage you will be given a silver ticket and be interviewed on camera by a member of the team.
These tapes will then be viewed in a casting session where the producers will choose the final contestants. If you have a place on the show you will be given a golden ticket.
Applications for Deal or No Deal is now OPEN. If you would like to apply, please click here.
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Q14. Why do people bring systems when it is a random game of chance?
Everyone has beliefs, superstitions, routines and systems to a greater or lesser extent. Some people pick significant dates like birthdays. Contestants have systems to help them along during their game and to pick their number when decisions become difficult. We have had many systems on DOND from players picking all odd numbers, to players studying the location of the numbers. Some people just pick out faces. Many do it on gut instinct; every contestant brings a new way of playing the game. One contestant even used the numbers of her favourite dishes from her local Chinese takeaway.