Deal or No Deal contestant who said he will die soon responds to viewers raising thousands
Beloved game show Deal Or No Deal is officially back from the dead, and boy do we have a heart-warming contestant story to share.
On Monday, 20 November, Stephen Mulhern stepped up to the plate to host the first episode of the show since it was acquired by ITV.
Ten days after the series relaunch, Wolverhampton-born Brad Wale was finally given the chance to bag the £100,000 jackpot prize.
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Speaking to Mulhern, 46, Brad emotionally revealed that he was living with Motor Neurone Disease.
According to the NHS, MND is a very uncommon condition that affects the brain, and the nerves, and gradually causes weakness as it worsens over time.
Opening up about his health battle, Brad revealed that he wanted to win some cash so that he could attempt to fulfil his bucket list.
"Last year, things changed quite a lot for me really, I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease,” he said.
“I never cry when I talk about it normally… So the prognosis isn’t really that great.
"So I’d put it towards my bucket list, go and see different places around the world, and give my family and partner some money before… yeah."
Unfortunately for Brad - who now lives in Bridgnorth, Shropshire - he ended up waving farewell to Deal Or No Deal with just £5 in his back pocket.
Obviously moved by Brad’s story, fellow contestant Rochelle Brown decided to take fate into her own hands and make his dreams come true.
Late last week, the 30-year-old set up a GoFundMe Page to raise funds for Brad so that he could experience some milestones moments.
Writing on the fundraiser, Rochelle said: “Hi! I’m Rochelle, Brad’s friend from Deal or No Deal!
“I’m sure you all saw Brad’s devastating game on Deal or No Deal. His DOND family really want him to fulfil his dreams and we have set this up on the hope that anyone could maybe spare a couple of pounds and get Brad to tick some bits off his bucket list.”
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The original fundraiser target was £20,000 - but the donations just keep rolling in.
At the time of writing, 3,600 fans have poured a staggering £42,559 into the pot.
Speaking about the GoFundMe page, the Shropshire-based lad said: “I genuinely can't believe it, I'm lost for words, it's so overwhelming.”
He told BBC Radio West Midlands: "I left with £5 and that was it, I was content with that I accepted it so I was never expecting something like this.
"I feel honoured, blessed and guilty at the same time.”
Scunthorpe resident Rochelle added that she wanted to do something nice for Brad as he “deserves” to have his dreams come true.
The 30-year-old said: “After the show I gave it 15 minutes, I wanted to keep the momentum up, it's an hour show for everyone at home but this is Brad's life.
"This doesn't just end once the camera has stopped filming. He really deserves to have his bucket list and his dreams come true."
You can chip into the fundraiser here.
Topics: ITV, Money, Health, TV and Film
Ella Scott