Mark has big secret after show with Noel

Published 14 Jan 2010 14:26

IT'S the show that has the nation cursing the banker and screaming the words "deal" or "no deal" at the television.

And now there is even more reason for those butterflies in the stomach with local man Mark Wylie attempting to win the evasive £250,000 jackpot.

Currently gracing our screens on Channel Four's addictive Deal or No Deal, Mark's fortunes will be revealed in the show on January 26.

The farmer from Luss is keeping tight lipped about his time with presenter Noel Edmonds and said: "My children don't even know how much money I win.

"Only my wife know how I got on!

"So everyone will have to watch on the 26th."

Filmed in October, Mark travelled to Bristol for a 16 day period to film the shows.

Staying in a five star hotel and spa, with a chauffeur transporting him to and from the studio everyday, it is no surprise Mark did not mind waiting 20 episodes for his turn to play the game.

After applying for the show in January, Mark forgot all about it until he received an unexpected phone-call from producers in June.

He was invited along with 600 others to the northern auditions in Newcastle and eventually whittled down to the final fifty.

Mark said: "It was like the X Factor process or something, I thought I had a one in a million chance of getting through and I was just happy with the experience."

There are 22 boxes, each containing a value between 1p and £250,000 and as the boxes are selected the banker offers the contestant a pay-out based on the remaining values.

The contestant can then choose to deal or whether not to deal.

And while the identity of the banker remains a mystery, Mark enjoyed getting to know host Noel Edmonds: "He really is a genuine friend to you, he wants you to win as much as you can, but still likes to take the mickey.

"The banker, on the other hand tries to make life as difficult as possible."

Contestants have already held a reunion in Manchester and are bringing tents to stay on Mark's farm during the summer.

Nicknamed 'Dealstock' the participants will camp outside for a barbecue and of course, play some Deal or No Deal.

Mark explained: "Sir Alex Ferguson, or the Celtic and Rangers football clubs could only dream of the team spirit and bonding we all had.

"It just wasn't like other game shows where you stab each other in the back.

"We worked together, slept together, drank together, laughed together and cried together, you make real friends."

Months on from the experience Mark is still reminiscing about his time.

"I think about it every day, I don't know how many times my wife's told me to stop talking about it, it's a truly fantastic show.

"I would recommend anyone to apply for Deal or No Deal, they are looking for honest, natural people and if I can get on it, anybody can."

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