Maria's game today.

Noel says the pilgrims are pumped up today, and has delved into the files of some of the contestants, Stephen goes around the house in 1 sock!

First player this season out of probably many to have the £250k before their game. Hopefully we will end the first week on a mega win.

Maria at last. Let's hope it's a good one.

really hoping she has one of the big ones today!!!

I do too (otherwise we're going to get more "why didn't she play yesterday" posts)

Maria has box 21 today.

Maria is originally from Brazil and came to the UK in '86. She says she didn't know where England was, and was shocked by the climate She says she loves British lager and blames it for putting on a few pounds. We get to see a picture of Maria when she was 19 in Brazil, and another of her grandchild. She has also brought along a chili which she will bite to celebrate her victory over the Banker. She has her daughter in the audience for support.


Here we go....

Round 1

Maria looks for the newbie first, who is Ian and he says he is a geek!

20 - £100 Newbie Ian

1 - £750 Janet

8 - £3,000 Jayne

15 - £5,000 Allan

4 - £10,000 Balbina

Banker time

An above average start.

Noel is a little worried how Maria will pronounce Banker Noel asks the Banker if it is the first time he has had a Brazilian!

Banker's offer:

£11,000

Maria says that is money that she has never had in her life before. Noel says he has never had anyone leave at the first offer before. Maria turns to her daughter who's nickname is 'Boo' for a little advice.

Maria says

NO DEAL

Round 2

12 - £15,000 Martyn

13 - £1 Andy

Noel calls a break and gets Maria to do the link. She gets a little mixed up and tells us all to go for a flash!!!

Noel is annoying me with his constant mocking of Maria's accent and pronunciation of words, it's not bad at all.

Top 6 in play but a big hole behind it.

She really did get shaky at that 11k offer if she gets an offer around 20k in live play then i have a feeling she will take it...

We're back
Last box before the Banker

Noel says there are many interesting facts about Maria including she delivered her own baby! Maria says she did and Noel gets her to explain a little more, she says that she was on her own and felt the baby coming and didn't know the number for any help as she was in Italy at the time.

14 - £1,000 Dan

Banker time

This is a scary board. It's starting to get very bi-polar.

This is a very interesting parallel with Friday's game says Noel, and this is even better as the £250,000 is in play. The Banker apologises for not allowing Maria the chance to select her own box as she has been on the show for so long!

Banker's offer:

SWAP

SWAP offer? Very random thing to do.

Wow, big hole in the red side but the right sort of hole in the red side.

Maria says no boxes really mean anything to her.

Maria says

NO DEAL