Since the departure of the Banker executive producer Glenn Hugill in the new shows so far this year, I wonder if Richard Hague is currently at the end of that phone or maybe Noel is simply ad libbing for a while whilst they find a replacement? The "banter" doesn't appear to be so robust.

Regardless of who it is, it looks like after few of finding his feet he has no problem making VERY derisory late game offers like the 2013 Banker.

The Banker is Jeremy Paxman. Always was. Still is.

...Or Mr Blobby

You're both wrong. I'm the true Banker. Yes, they outsourced that position. I very much enjoy my work on the show.

You may well be the real Banker now Hawkwind. But that isn't what I am getting at.
Trying to establish if anyone else has picked up on the change in temperament since the last Banker Glenn Hugill has departed

Well, his laugh did sound slightly different when he used it today (prematurely, as usual ).