The turn of the year feels like a good time to do a poll like this. You have until the morning of the 6th to vote.

There should be an option for "Noel doesn't encourage a Deal, or a No Deal, just describes the different scenarios for added tension".

The question is whether he has that much of an influence on a contestant's decision given that there is enough advice from the wings these days and family/friends in the audience. On the positive side he does try to offer advice that brings balance when it seems as though the player is tilted too much one way. It must be years now that he hasn't done the chicken impression that discouraged cautious dealing to get more "courageous" players to win big money so that's to be commended!

Don't know as I don't watch much any more, just see the ones I really want to on 4OD......

Hmm... Well, I do think Noel delays asking the questions sometimes, and this specifically has resulted in a reversal of the apparent decision. He literally begged Jaron not to deal at 14-box, and interestingly most of this was left out the final edit. Some people cite Dot's game as similar.

I just think when the question is asked for, it should be asked straight away!

Interesting, looking at this again - the vast majority of people on here think that Noel has indeed reduced his encouragement of contestants to No Deal, and the majority of those see this as positive.

You wouldn't know it from looking at the forum, to be honest, but that's mainly because the "Wakeyist" crowd tends to be the more vociferous!

It's interesting that Noel barely acknowledged the 4-month period last year without a power 5 win on screen, something he would probably have been very vocal about in previous years.

The show does seem to have distanced itself from the concept of taking big gambles - even so far as the banker saying he doesn't fear big gamblers "because they usually win a blue". Quite a contrast to the generosity he's shown to them in the past.