A former Deal or No Deal participant has provided an exclusive glimpse into her time on the popular ITV programme, shedding light on host Stephen Mulhern's conduct away from the cameras. Helen McPherson, a content creator from Kent with a substantial TikTok following, recently reflected on her appearance, which is scheduled to air in an upcoming episode where she could win up to £100,000.
Initial Nerves and Starstruck Moments
Helen admitted to feeling intense anxiety before her episode, describing how watching other contestants' rounds made her feel physically unwell. Upon meeting Stephen Mulhern, who has fronted the show since its revival in 2024, she confessed to being really nervous and somewhat starstruck. She humorously noted that she might have come across as a bit dizzy on camera because she was so in awe of the presenter.
Unexpected Professionalism and Personal Touch
What truly surprised Helen was Mulhern's behaviour during the three daily recordings. She expected him to be whisked in and out quickly, but instead found him to be the ultimate professional who was remarkably kind and generous with his time. He made a concerted effort to engage with all the contestants, even remembering personal details Helen had shared about her son being a big fan.
Helen remarked on how he would put everyone at ease, particularly during the first game when nerves were running high. Mulhern would reassure contestants by saying, "At the end of the day if you mess up, we'll just film it again, don't worry," which helped alleviate much of the pressure.
Genuine Care and Emotional Support
The most touching revelation came when Helen described how Stephen comforted her off-camera after her game. She explained that she was quite emotional and crying loads afterwards, and Mulhern came to give her a genuine cuddle. She emphasised that his concern was authentic, stating you cannot fake that level of care.
She observed that he actually really does care about everybody on the show, which contradicted her initial expectations about how a television host might behave towards contestants.
Forming Unexpected Bonds with Fellow Contestants
Helen also spoke about another surprising aspect of her experience: the genuine connections formed with other participants. Before taking part, she had found it somewhat cringy when contestants became emotional with each other on screen, but her perspective completely changed once she participated.
She compared the experience to Big Brother, where contestants are thrown together in a hotel environment and spend significant time bonding. Helen explained that what might look silly on television – contestants expressing affection for people they just met – actually feels completely genuine when you're in the situation.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Participation
The Deal or No Deal contestant addressed common viewer suspicions about whether contestants are told to say nice things when opening boxes, confirming that producers do not instruct them at all. Instead, she described feeling completely invested in the experience, likening it to an emotional rollercoaster that creates genuine tension and connection.
Helen's revelations provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of ITV's most popular daytime programmes, highlighting both the emotional investment required from contestants and the unexpected humanity shown by its host.
Deal or No Deal continues to air weekdays at 4pm on ITV and ITVX, offering viewers the chance to see these dynamics play out on screen while contestants face the banker in pursuit of life-changing sums of money.
