ITV's reboot of legendary gameshow Deal or No Deal experienced a show first on Thursday (December 7) – but it wasn't good news for the unfortunate contestant.
Opening the programme, host Stephen Mulhern introduced player Reece, who began by showing off an ultra rare Kew Gardens 50p his dad had given him for good luck during the coronavirus pandemic. Reece then admitted he's a bit of a geek when it comes to coins, and collects the many different 50 pence pieces.
Naturally it prompted the show's other contestants waiting in the wings and viewers alike to joke about the potential irony of Reece selecting the box that contains 50p. What fans didn't envisage, however, was that things could get even worse for the £100,000 hopeful.
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Opting for Box 4 to play with, Reece, who works as a research nurse working in a variety of hospital departments, declared: "For all the guys here, my family and my partner Tom – I just want to do well."
Describing himself as a "risk-taker", Reece then made a comment that would come back to haunt him. "Do you know what?" he asked Stephen. "If it comes down to £100,000 and a penny – you're only here once." Tom, on the other, hand said he would be the opposite, as he jokingly screamed: "Just take the money!"
Reece's first round showed a sign of things to come as he immediately picked out a number of the higher-value red boxes, prompting the banker to offer him paltry sums not worth considering.
The game continued in much the same vein until there were five boxes – a time in the show that saw the banker somewaht generously offer £8,400 despite Reece's bad luck. However, the plucky contestant continued, citing enough money for a holiday in New York and a new car as the goal for his endeavours.
And so, choosing to play on, it all boiled down to the contents of the final two boxes – 1p and £5,000, with the banker offering a deal of £2,650. Then, much to Reece's shock, his partner Tom encouraged him to gamble – only for it all to end in tears as Reece became the first person to leave with a penny since the programme relaunched in its new home.
Stephen said: "Listen its a good job you collect coins", before presenting him with a 1p coin from his pocket emblazoned with his own face. Reece replied: "Oh, thank you very much."
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Following the show, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to rue Reece's bad luck. One user pondered: "Why turn down £8,400 when there's 1p on the table? It makes great telly but it's bloody vicious too. #DealOrNoDeal" A nother commented: "Sadly Reece’s box contained just 1p but well done anyway Reece you were so brave and I think you should have dealt on £8,400 and New York and a car was a lovely idea you have been a great player and all the best for the future :)."
A third added: "And he becomes the first member of the 1p club. Silly boy but he does like collecting coins. #DealOrNoDeal." A fourth tried offer a positive, writing: "If your gonna lose ,atleast he will be talked about for ages ,he started the 1p club #DealOrNoDeal." And a fifth agreed: "Worth it just for the 1p club coin! That’s a rare item! Reece played the game and that’s what it’s all about. #DealOrNoDeal."
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