Who was the original Deal Or No Deal banker? Glenn Hugill’s identity confirmed after 20 years

Since its launch in 2005, Deal Or No Deal has thrilled UK audiences with its nail-biting gameplay and, most notably, its secretive Banker.

The man behind the phone calls was never seen, only heard through the hushed tones of host Noel Edmonds. For years, the banker's identity remained one of British television's most tightly guarded secrets.

Now, nearly 20 years later, that mystery has finally been cracked. Thanks to a revelation by Richard Osman and confirmation from multiple reports, fans can now put a name to the voice that once determined the fate of so many red boxes: Glenn Hugill.

The former Coronation Street actor and TV producer has been exposed as the original banker, much to the amazement and excitement of fans. Here’s everything we know about the man who once ruled the Deal Or No Deal studio from behind the curtain.

Who is Glenn Hugill?

Glenn Hugill might have remained a mystery to many in his role as the Deal Or No Deal banker, but he's no stranger to British television. He played Detective Alan McKenna on Coronation Street from 1996 to 1997, appearing in 86 episodes.

In the soap, his character was meant to wed Fiona Middleton (played by Angela Griffin), but the wedding was called off following the revelation of her affair with Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson). After leaving the soap, Hugill stepped away from acting and began carving a path behind the scenes.

He launched his own production company, Possessed, which was eventually sold to ITV. He has since joined Wheelhouse, a media company run by US TV host Jimmy Kimmel. According to Daily Mail, Hugill was not just the voice behind the banker, but also an executive producer on Deal Or No Deal, overseeing the show's production and format.

Although he never physically appeared on the programme, he was always present, playing a pivotal role from the shadows. Despite the rumours, Noel Edmonds never officially confirmed knowing the banker's identity. Yet fans long suspected there was more to the dynamic between host and banker than met the eye.

His exceptionally high IQ

Glenn Hugill is not just a TV veteran—he’s also considered to be one of the UK’s brightest minds.

As reported by LadBible, Hugill took a child IQ test at the age of 10 and scored an astonishing 207, the highest recorded score in the country for children under 16. Later in life, he took an adult IQ test and recorded a score of 177, which was the highest the test could register.

This intelligence perhaps explains the psychological edge Hugill brought to his mysterious role. The banker wasn’t just there to make offers—he played mind games, toyed with contestants' emotions, and built suspense, turning simple box openings into compelling drama.

It was Richard Osman who reportedly first revealed Hugill’s role. In a 2015 article, Osman stated:

Two Tribes was an idea that Glenn Hugill - the Banker on Deal or No Deal - and I had been thinking about for a long time.

This subtle disclosure went largely unnoticed at the time, but has since resurfaced as further confirmation of Hugill’s behind-the-scenes brilliance.

Deal Or No Deal's 2023 reboot: A new face, a new banker

ITV revived Deal Or No Deal in 2023, giving the beloved format a modern twist while retaining its iconic gameplay. Stephen Mulhern was brought in to replace Noel Edmonds as the host, adding a fresh and vibrant energy to the show. As reported by Rayo, Mulhern expressed his excitement, saying:

Wow what an opportunity, I’m beyond excited to be hosting the brand-new series... It’s one of the greatest shows of all time and to be the new host is an honour!

The reboot was well received, with the first series airing from November to December 2023, and and the second running from October 2024 to February 2025. Despite the format staying largely the same—with 22 players, red boxes and the ominous phone calls—there’s one significant change: the identity of the current banker is unknown.

Stephen Mulhern insists he has no idea who’s on the other end of the phone. Speaking to Daily Mail, he said:

I don’t know who the Banker is, so I wouldn’t be able to recognise who it was - he could walk past me at any point.

While the voice is to male, no further clues have been shared.

Notably, Glenn Hugill is not the voice of the banker in the reboot. Despite his central role in the original series, Hugill has not confirmed involvement in the new version of the show.

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Sources used:

Daily Mail: REVEALED: Deal Or No Deal's infamous banker FINALLY unmasked 20 years on from first ever episode

LadBible: Deal or No Deal's 'Banker' used to be the smartest adult in the country

Rayo: Everything you need to know about Deal or No Deal