What would happen with the remaining contestants. I think they'd go through the proper players and replace them with fans who want to open boxes. Maybe they could bring back former players or something.

Is this something others have thought about?

I guess there has been a thread on it at some point, but I've often wondered.

I think this was thought about on here some time ago when it wasn't certain how long the show would last!

I'd always assumed the final group of 22 wouldn't go home once they'd played their games, and would stay to open boxes on the wings.

But other people had lots of theories, including former contestants returning to open the boxes, or crew members, or even celebrities. It'd be interesting to find the original thread about this!

...and not forgetting will they reveal who the Banker is?

A search reveals these relevant threads...

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7873
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19286

Channel 5 may end picking it up, if it's still getting OK ratings and only ended because 4 didn't want it or Noel left. I think it's one of the few shows that wouldn't work without the original host. I don't think anyone else could do it justice and present the show with the same enthusiasm as Noel.

Thanks interesting reading.

Here's another thread on the subject, complete with the ramblings of my 18-year-old self - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5484

It seems it's been a hot topic over the years!

I know that the initial commission was for 66 episodes and that the contestants near the end of that weren't certain they were going to play!!

How did they do it in France, where the show was cancelled? They had the same concept of the wings.

Wow, 66? The fact that we've had more than 1,600 now is just amazing!

Did I really say that in that old thread.

Anyway the best way, I think, is that all the remaining contestants get to play their game (which is only fair), and that each day they bring back a memorable ex-contestant to replace the previous days player, who will then remain on the wings till the end.

I think it'd be more fitting to the show to bring back ex-contestants as Noel could chat with the ex-contestant about what they've been up to since being on the show, how they spent their money etc. When Noel introduces them to the show again they could also show a short clip of their game.

Of course it's all dependent on when exactly the show will end, and indeed which contestants would want/be available to come back on.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens when the show does finally end - whenever that will be.

Now I wonder if cheese goes with Noel.