Behind the scenes at Deal or No Deal

It is one of TV's biggest shows and has millions of fans. VICTORIA NASH was given an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of Deal or No Deal

There is something of a buzz in the Deal or No Deal studios.

The famous boxes haven't even been taken out from under lock and key, the studio lights in the Dream Factory have yet to be lit and the audience – or pilgrims, as Noel affectionately calls them – are yet to start filing into their seats.

But the atmosphere is already electric.

Backstage in the holding area, contestant Ann Dineen is getting pampered by one of three make-up artists who make sure those appearing are looking their best.

The room may be modest. Only photographs portraying happy memories from the show over the years and posters giving instructions that boxes should only be opened on Noel's cue adorn the cream walls. But it is brimming with excitement, nervous energy and warmth.

Former contestants who have returned to the Bristol studios as "box openers" for the live shows chat and joke with Ann's relatives and friends as if they have known them all their lives.

They have already been through "box school" – learning how to open the boxes in the correct way in front of the cameras.

And, as the time is ticking towards filming, senior producer Jim Connolly gives his rousing pre-show speech that has them clapping and whooping.

"We need to clear our minds and put the rest of the world out of our heads. It is up to you to get the atmosphere up to the best it can be," he says. "We want Ann to walk out of here happy and wealthy."

Cue huge cheers and claps.

"We've got a really good crowd in. Try and get them involved. There's a lot of us and there's only one banker."

Cue even louder cheers and big hugs.

Sitting in his quirky dressing room, Noel Edmonds is taking the prospect of another live episode in his stride, perhaps in a way only a presenter with the wealth of experience he has can. It may not look like a dressing room – complete with chandelier, sofa and comfy rug. But there is nothing in the slightest diva-ish about this TV veteran and he admits his choice of decoration is somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

Three plaster ducks – similar to those made famous in Hilda Ogden's Coronation Street house – hang on the wall, a toy cat in a basket sits in front of the fireplace and faux greenery spills out of plant pots.

It is perhaps this sense of humour that has made Deal or No Deal one of TV's best loved shows.

With cards in front of him detailing the contestants' dreams, wishes and a short biography, he takes time to learn more about those whose lives he could help change. But his cheeky humour is never far away.

"My role is to create the best game possible for the player and everyone is rooting for them. But if someone in the wings is wearing a dodgy wig then they better watch out," he jokes.

Noel himself has nothing but love for working on the show.

"I come in here with a spring in my step, thinking 'I am going to change someone's life," he says.

"It is important to remember how much the money means to them and what a difference it can make.

"One man said coming on the show was his last turn of the card."

When the show was first launched in 2005, it was commissioned for just 66 shows.

But it has become one of TV's most-loved programmes.

"I think the show is totally inclusive. Anyone can play it. There is no skill or questions to be answered and we have such a loyal audience," says Noel. "It is a phenomenon."

And he loves the new dynamic the run of live shows has given the show. Even the prospect of a contestant taking up the banker's first offer within the first 15 minutes of the show – and inevitably putting even his years of presenting knowhow to the test to fill the rest of the remaining hour of filming – doesn't unnerve him.

"I love live TV. If that happened and I had time to fill I'd pick up the camera and bring it into the dressing room and show everyone around."

He describes the production team as "the best he has ever worked with" and chats unreservedly to anyone who will listen.

His charm and genuine desire for the contestants to leave much wealthier than they arrived is the linchpin of the show's success.

And former contestants – including one who walked away with a paltry 1p from his time on the show – have jumped at the chance to return to the set and another round of banter with Noel for the live shows.

Among them is Leroy James, an eccentric clothes store owner from Birmingham, whose dapper dress sense made him a favourite on the show in December.

The 61-year-old, who used his £16,500 winnings to boost his store and fund a trip to Jamaica, said he had "loved" his experience and was thrilled to be back.

Despite being the show's first 1p "winner" back in 2006, 38-year-old Nick Bain from Essex was more than happy to return to the set while Betty Hardwick, from Sheffield, who won £100,000 on the show, described the crew and contestants as a "big family".

"They make you feel so special and important," she says. "And Noel is just fantastic. We have some good banter." With the audience in their seats and the clock ticking down to filming the contestants are brought in to the studio – dancing to Michael Jackson's Just Can't Get Enough.

The studio lights are on and the 22 boxes that will decide Ann's fortunes are placed on the floor.

The dancing is an immediate crowd- pleaser and the 120-strong audience – made up of pensioners, couples and even students – start clapping along in time.

While the crowd are being "warmed up", practising their cheers and jeers, the box openers each in turn pick out a numbered ping pong ball – corresponding with the numbered boxes – out of a bag.

Transformed from comfy jumper and jeans into smart shirt and cowboy boots, Noel takes his place in the centre circle ready for the cameras to roll.

The live shows, which come to an end tomorrow, differ slightly from the normal format.

Under the usual format, four shows are recorded every day with a group of contestants repeatedly returning until they are chosen to sit in the hotseat.

They are told to take along a variety of different outfits so they don't appear wearing the same thing in various editions of the show, and they all stay in a hotel near to the studios.

The live shows, however, see a Deal or No Deal fan surprised at their home or workplace by Noel himself.

They are then given the chance to bring family and friends into the studio to serve as box openers, with the remaining panel being made up of former contestants.

Among those to have appeared in the live shows is Black Country great-grandmother Betty Burns who was at a dance class at the Royal British Legion in Kingswinford when Noel Edmonds crept up on her.

The loveable 78-year-old finally ended up with £250 after swapping her box with the banker's.

With a camera team filming at the contestant's home, they can keep a tab on what their loved ones think of their progress as well as getting advice from the studio audience and others on the panel as they play the game.

Noel describes Deal or No Deal not as a game show, but "entertainment drama". And there is drama aplenty in the studio, as the audience and panel jeer the banker's calls, cheer and clap when low-value boxes are discarded and sigh heavily when the top-value boxes are opened.

During the ad breaks, members of the production team flock back on to set, make-up artists and a hair stylist keep the contestants looking their best and Noel continues to chat happily to the contestants, audience and crew.

It is a rollercoaster ride of emotions – for those watching as much as for contestant Ann herself.

And when the 45-year-old police officer from Swansea finally accepts a deal of £24,000, all in the studio let out a relieved cheer and clap – even when she discovers she'd been sitting with a £75,000 box all along.

As the final seconds of the show roll, there is another big group hug, Ann beams that it has been a "fantastic" experience and the audience file out with a warm feeling as if they'd just seen one of their own relatives bag the cash.

As TV shows go, this one's definitely the real deal.