Deal or No Deal returns with Stephen Mulhern as host

New lease of life for popular game show

It's been almost seven years since we last watched Noel Edmonds call the banker as contestants tried to find huge sums of cash inside those 22 famous red boxes. Now, the game show Deal or No Deal is making a comeback with Stephen Mulhern at the helm.

A dream come true for Stephen Mulhern

Previous show host Noel Edmonds confronted Mulhern about the show's return at a party. Mulhern reveals, "Deal or No Deal was not only one of my favorite shows, it was my dad's favorite show – when I told him I was doing it, it was like he'd won the lottery." Mulhern, who also hosts Catchphrase, In For a Penny, and Rolling In It, couldn't be happier to take on this new role.

Emotional encounter with Noel Edmonds

Mulhern shares a touching moment when Noel Edmonds surprised him at a private function. "He said: 'I haven't done one of these in 20 years, but I finally 'gotcha'.' It choked me up, it really did." Edmonds expressed his confidence in Mulhern, saying, "You're one of our brightest stars and there couldn't be anybody better to step into my shoes."

Same format, smaller jackpot

While the jackpot has shrunk from £250,000 to £100,000, the format of the game remains the same. Mulhern explains, "If it 100 per cent works, why play about with it? Deal or No Deal is all about the punters and their stories. That's why I adore it, honestly, it doesn't even feel like a job."

Mystery of the Banker's identity

The identity of the Banker has never been revealed, and as someone new takes over the role, Mulhern insists he too is in the dark. "My brothers, my sister, my mum, my dad, they all ask: 'Who's the Banker?' I swear to God, I do not know who it is!" Mulhern reveals. He also shares a story about a harsh interaction with the Banker, saying, "There was one lady who won a penny, she was gutted and getting emotional. The phone rings and I go: 'Hello, Banker.' And he goes: 'Tell her to wipe those tears, this is not a pity party.' And I've got to repeat that to her!"