Noel Edmonds reveals daytime favourite Deal or No Deal ISN’T finished

NOEL Edmonds has insisted Deal Or No Deal is "definitely not over" despite Channel 4 appearing to end the daily show after 3,000 episodes.

In his only interview about the future of the iconic game show, the TV icon branded reports that the popular game show is finished as “totally untrue” as he prepares to take it on tour to different locations around the UK.

The new format will give him the time to focus on ";other challenges" in his life, including launching two new C4 gameshows.

Noel, 67, told The Sun: "To have done 3,000 Deals was pretty amazing. But I do want other challenges in my life.

"Deal or No Deal is definitely not over.

"The Dream Factory, as we used to call it, the studio, has closed, but we’ve taken it on the road.

“And if you think about it, that actually makes it more accessible to our fans than people travelling all the way to Bristol from all over the UK.

“So I would ask the loyal fans of Deal, of which there are still millions, to see this as a new era and a very exciting opportunity.”

Deal Or No Deal became an instant smash after hitting screens in October 2005.

Noel filmed almost 150 days’ worth of shows over 11 years as it became a staple of Channel 4’s afternoon schedule.

But despite it leaving our screens, he is taking the format to iconic landmarks around the UK where the show will take place in front of a live audience.

Noel revealed he pitched the idea for a Deal Or No Deal tour himself to Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt.

He revealed: “I’ve always wanted to take Deal to the people. So it’s taken a bit of organising and Jay has been brilliant.

“But what we’re now going to do is close the dream factory and take the deal on tour. And we are going to play the game in some extraordinary locations.

“And you’ve been in television long enough that you know it’s one of the best formats ever because it’s 22 boxes, a telephone and me.

“So you can do it anywhere, and that’s what I wanted to do and I pitched the idea to Jay, it must be six months ago, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The TV star is proud of what he and his team have achieved over the past 11 years.

He added: “I think this is an exciting new era and I wouldn’t rule out anything in the future. As things stand, doing ten specials is about all the time I can commit.

“I think you know the schedule, for half the year we recorded sometimes four shows a day.

“The last one was 300 shows, and I’ve been doing that for ten years. And that’s a huge output. I think it’s still an industry record.

“I don’t think Anne Robinson got there with Weakest Link. I don’t think any other show has produced so much volume, so was it always going to go on doing that? Clearly no.

“But I’m just so excited because I know we are going to turn up and do some incredible shows in some extraordinary places, and I know our loyal fans will just love it. I think people will flock to see it.

“I think I’ve actually recorded over 150 days of shows, which is quite a few.

“I’m very proud of what’s been achieved and I’m really more excited about what’s coming up.”

As well as Deal Or No Deal On Tour, which will kick off later this year, Noel has also landed two brand new game shows on Channel 4, as well as a huge studio-based programme.

The first is an hour-long show currently titled Cheap Cheap Cheap, which will be produced by Hat Trick productions – the makers of Father Ted and Room 101 – and set inside an eccentric general store filled with weird items and manned by quirky staff.

Noel and the shop staff will challenge contestants to guess the cheapest of the three items presented to them in the hope that a series of successful guesses will win them a life-changing sum.

The second new show is called Noel Edmonds’ Sell or Swap, where studio contestants will bid live on a mix of items ranging from expensive antiques to a second hand speed boat, with everything up for sale or for swap.

Noel revealed he cannot wait for what lies ahead.

He said: “I’m very excited because Channel 4 has offered me four new shows and it’s the biggest announcement of its kind that anyone I have spoken to can recall.

“And I’m hugely grateful for their massive over confidence and I’m grateful for the challenges and the opportunities.

“The new Hat Trick show is fantastic, we’ve already piloted it.

“Jay believes it’s going to be a massive hit, I believe it’s going to be a massive hit.

“Plus these two other shows and my internet radio business which is now the fastest growing internet radio business in the world, and I think I’ve got enough on my plate.”

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