Former Deal or No Deal contestant Lynne Hackles has disclosed a crucial moment that never makes it to television, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the long-running game show. Speaking 20 years after her appearance, she revealed how contestants secretly draw ping pong balls to determine their box numbers, a process hidden from viewers.
Secret Box Selection Process
Lynne Hackles, a writer from Pembrokeshire, won £75,000 on Deal or No Deal in 2006. In an interview with OLBG, she explained that contestants select their box numbers by picking a ping pong ball from a bag containing balls numbered 1 to 22. Their name is then written down alongside the chosen number, ensuring neighbours do not know each other's box numbers. "That was the bit that you don't see on television," she said.
Hackles noted that despite nervousness, she did not notice the cameras during filming. She also highlighted the camaraderie among contestants, adding, "You do get to know all the other contestants because there's no competition."
Spending the Winnings on a Winnebago
After her win, Hackles and her husband used the £75,000 to purchase an American Winnebago for a trip around the coast of Britain. She personalised the motor home with a red box featuring the number 8 and a Deal or No Deal sticker, decorated by a local man.
Delayed Payment for Contestants
This revelation follows a separate disclosure by contestant Janet Swannell, who appeared on the show in 2024 and won £8,000. Swannell shared on TikTok that winners receive their money either six weeks after their episode airs or six months after playing, whichever comes first. She recorded her show in November 2024 but did not receive her winnings until May 2026, as her episode aired in January 2026. She was unable to tell anyone about her win for over 12 months.
Deal or No Deal originally aired on Channel 4 from 2005 to 2016 with Noel Edmonds, before being rebooted on ITV in 2023 with Stephen Mulhern as host. The show involves contestants selecting one of 22 boxes containing varying cash amounts, with the Banker making offers based on which amounts remain. Lynne Hackles's episode is available on YouTube.
