Why is it that out of just 22 people there always seems to be someone who is not there and are 'ill'?

Why is this? Is the hotel food that dodgy? Is 'ill' code for a hangover or similar because they have spent too long in the bar the night before? Or is is that they miss the bus taking them to the dream factory?

Maybe some of the previous contestant can shed some light on it?

Milly

There's not anyone ill at the moment is there? Although in the past month or so, Margaret, Patricia, Claire and myself all had to take time off due to being ill.

Personally I did have some dodgy food at the hotel and I know some others did too but it didn't affect them as badly as it did me. I think Claire had a bad cold and Patricia just felt a bit giddy (although I don't know the details). Not sure what happened with Margaret though as she was ill after I'd left.

Hi David

You are right, I dont think there is anyone ill at the mo but there usually is.

You did make it to the studio though didnt you and then had to slip out.

I always think 'missed the bus' !! LOL!

I am sure some are genuinely ill, I suppose Endemol dont take any chances and pull out anyone who has a sniffel.

Milly

I did make it to the studio because I thought I was well enough, but being in there (probably due to the lights etc) actually made me feel even worse.

I'm not sure anyone has genuinely missed a recording due to missing the bus (although I seem to remember about a year ago that Noel claimed a contestant had missed the bus and she turned up late - don't know how true that was though). They could quite easily get a taxi even if they did miss it, as it's a short journey from the hotel to the studios, so I suspect Noel was messing around for that "incident".

I think all TV shows do err on the side of caution when it comes to the participants' health. After all, they won't want someone dropping dead on set!

The shows that are being shown now were filmed back in January and there normally are a lot more viruses and bacteria around then.

Yeah, a joint for breakfast will do that to you.

I'd be gutted if I went on the show and missed a couple of games due to sickness. Imagine if you'd been sick for Alice's game, H!

That would've been pretty annoying! However if I'm going to be ill, I think overall I'd rather miss a few shows than risk getting worse and ending up missing even more!!

I wouldn't want to miss any shows at all.

That wont look good for endemol will it! OMG imagine if that actually happened, would they pull 'Deal or No Deal' off the air?
Has anyone heard of that actually happening live on a TV show?

Someone died live on TV on an older programme of someone connected with DOND, somewhat ironically.

It wasn't live, but nice observation nonetheless.

(Although maybe 'nice' isn't the right word there.)

I was tempted to ask Noel if I was safe being near him in light of that event, but thought I may be chucked out of the studio if I did mention it.

i think i would've peed a little if you did!

Yes, the famous comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack while performing on a live TV programme in 1984, millions were watching. It happened during a prime-time ITV variety show on a Saturday evening, broadcast live in the slot that 'Britains Got Talent' has got at the moment. The studio audience initially laughed, thinking his collapse was part of the act. Amazingly, after cutting to an ad break early, the rest of the show then continued.

I wouldn't choose to watch it myself, but I know video of his death can be found on Youtube.

Have just returned from a visit to the Dream Factory today, and a contestant was unfortunately taken ill during the recording of one of the shows. Paramedics had to be called but fortunately she made a speedy recovery but had to sit of the rest of filming for the day.
There was a delay of about 40 minutes whilst she was being treated, and the audience and contestants had to leave the studio during this time. The boxes were put in a sealed cage and after the audience returned the independent adjudicator supervised their return to the correct place, so we actually caught sight of her (I think the only other time she made an appearance was in one of the birthday shows.)

Oh David you should told Noel about what you wanted to say it would have some extra banter.

Scarlet looked dreadful today,it was'nt too long into the game before she disappeared. hope she feels better soon.

It was weird how Scarlet went ill not long after the program had started. Was surprised to hear just after the first deal, that she went off sick. Yet we didn't see her saying she was poorly and leaving that episode. I know some edits take place, but it allways seems as though each three parts of the show really are shot in one take.