Deal Or No Deal Winner Forced to Keep £8,000 Win Secret for Over a Year
In a surprising revelation, a former Deal Or No Deal contestant has disclosed the hidden contractual obligations that prevented her from accessing her prize money for months after filming. Janet Swannell, a children's entertainer, participated in the popular ITV game show and secured a substantial £8,000 win. However, she faced an unexpected delay in enjoying her earnings due to strict network policies.
The Waiting Game: Why Winners Cannot Immediately Spend Their Cash
Janet Swannell took to TikTok to share insider details about the show's operations, explaining that contestants do not receive immediate access to the cash inside their cases. She filmed her episode in November 2024, but it did not air until January 2026, forcing her to maintain secrecy for over twelve months. "I have a loud mouth and it was not an easy secret to keep," she admitted in a video from her car. "Lots of people are asking 'when did you get your winnings?' The answer is not a simple one."
According to Janet, ITV offers two payment options: winners receive their money either six weeks after their episode airs or six months after they play, whichever occurs first. In her case, the delayed broadcast meant she did not receive the £8,000 until around May 2026. "I couldn't tell anyone for over 12 months despite everybody asking and asking," she said. "Honestly, if you ask all my friends, I did not tell them."
Contractual Obligations and the Fear of Legal Action
The primary reason for her silence was the threat of legal repercussions from ITV. Janet emphasized that contestants sign a binding contract, and disclosing wins prematurely could result in forfeiture of the prize. "Mainly because I didn't want to get sued by ITV," she explained. "And the other reason is I wanted my friends and family to see it with the excitement of the game."
She also shared a personal anecdote: her partner, mother, and daughter were present in the audience during filming, as she lives near the studios. They too were sworn to secrecy, highlighting the show's rigorous confidentiality measures. "But yeah, the reason that you don't get paid is because if you then blab and you ruin it for everyone, you've signed a contract and that money's not yours," Janet added.
Behind the Scenes: How Contestants Are Selected to Play
Janet provided further insights into the contestant selection process, debunking common misconceptions. At the start of each game, names of all players in the studio are displayed on a screen, and one is chosen randomly. This ensures that reactions are genuine, as participants do not know when they will be selected. "We are picked at random and we do not know when we are going to play. So the reactions that you see on the day are true," she revealed.
However, the show employs a shortlisting system to accommodate family and friends. Several contestants are pre-selected each day, allowing their loved ones to travel to the studios in case they are chosen. Janet noted that this does not guarantee participation, citing examples of families traveling from Cornwall, Devon, or Scotland only for their person not to play. "Just because your family members in the audience does not mean you're gonna play, we are shortlisted, so that several players are on the standby list and then only one's chosen," she clarified.
Deal Or No Deal continues to captivate audiences on ITVX, with these revelations shedding light on the intricate logistics and legal frameworks that govern the beloved game show.
