Stephen Mulhern has revealed Noel Edmonds has wished him luck with taking over the presenting role on Deal Or No Deal.
The popular game show will return to TV screens later this month, headed by new host Stephen, 46.
The magician told how he was recently performing at a private party when a man appeard on stage dressed like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings.
According to The Mirror, Stephen said: ‘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’.
‘He takes off his mask. It’s Noel Edmonds! I could not believe that. He was friends with the guy whose party it was.’
Good luck: Stephen Mulhern has revealed Noel Edmonds has wished him luck with taking over the presenting role on Deal Or No Deal (pictured in October 2022)
Host with the most: Stephen told how Noel, 74, wished him well with the new role and gave him some advice on hosting the game show
Stephen told how Noel, 74, wished him well with the new role and gave him some advice on hosting the game show.
He said: ‘[Noel] 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.’
Airing on ITV1 and ITVX, the programme will see contestants battle it out against the notorious Banker to be in with a chance of winning a life-changing cash prize, in a nail-biting game of nerves and intuition.
Deal Or No Deal handed out £40million in winnings from its first episode in 2005 until it ended in August 2016 after 13 series.
The format is due to remain largely the same – but will have a new host and new studio. The prize fund has also been slashed from £250,000 to £100,000.
Each week, a contestant will be confronted with 22 sealed boxes, each one hiding a different amount of money.
Without knowing what each one contains, the player must eliminate the boxes, which are opened one at a time to reveal the amount of money inside.
Pressure mounts as the player is tempted by the notorious Banker to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be inside their box.
Show: Airing on ITV1 and ITVX, the programme will see contestants battle it out against the notorious Banker to be in with a chance of winning a life-changing cash prize, in a nail-biting game of nerves and intuition
Throwback: Deal Or No Deal handed out £40million in winnings from its first episode in 2005 until it ended in August 2016 after 13 series
As long as the larger cash prizes remain unchosen, the Banker’s offers will get higher. But that can all change in an instant if a big cash prize is unveiled.
An insider told The Sun previously: ‘It’s a strange sign of the times, but 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.
‘Plus, Deal or no Deal was never about the winnings, it was always about the game and the camaraderie between the contestants, with some happy to walks away with nothing….or just 1p in some cases.’
In a statement, Stephen said: ‘Wow, what an opportunity, I’m beyond excited to be hosting the brand-new series.
‘I’ve always been such a huge fan of the show, so much so, I’ve been practicing 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.’
Deal Or No Deal returns on Monday, November 20 at 4pm on ITV1.
