Charlie's game today.

Noel says the walk of wealth is one of the longest walks in television, and people change completely when they take the walk. He says this was evident yesterday, when Zoleika fell apart during her game.

Charlie has box 9.

Charlie is a retired motor engineer, and explains that he retired twice, as he got fed up with retirement and went back into work for a while! Noel says Charlie is 80, and he says he's actually 81 as today is his birthday! We get to see a photo of Charlie's family, and one of his wife. He says they've been together over 60 years, and she's a bit poorly at the moment. He also shows a photo of him on holiday in Egypt.

Here we go...

Round 1

Charlie says he wants to save boxes 17 and 21.

1 - Graham - £500

5 - Seema - £5,000

8 - Anthony - £10

15 - Beryl-Anne - £1

20 - John - £20,000

Banker time

The banker says it's an honour to play Charlie on his 81st birthday.

Banker's offer:

£8,181

A contestant playing on his/her birthday is somewhat of a lovely pleasure. I'm sure this man will do well today

A nice quick first part of the game (well quicker than yesterday anyway but then I've seen tortoises go faster than yesterday's game)

Charlie says

NO DEAL

Noel calls a break...

All the hallmarks of a very good game;
1 A very decent player who defies his age and with no ego in play.
2 No family members/close friends to influence.
3 Very respectful opening 17 box offer.
4 Quick intro and flying opening round.
5 No sob story.

We're back

Round 2

18 - Gary - £100

13 - Karen - £3,000

19 - Andre - £250

Charlie discusses with Andre and Noel about how to pronounce "Andre".

Banker time

The banker says Charlie and Noel make a good double-act, and he's waiting for Gandalf to turn up.

Banker's offer:

£12,081

And then he spoils it by revealing he's a targetist.

Charlie says he has a figure in his mind, and he'll finish when he reaches it. He rights the figure in the book.

Charlie says

NO DEAL

Writing a target is a no-no, imo

Never let The Banker play mind games I say

Well it works both ways but if his target is realistically, say £20k then the production team will be edging the offers a little lower until at least 11box assuming he doesn't kill the game.

A finale with big numbers in play could still be interesting but obviously he won't be swayed with BG's, SBG's or mini boxes etc.

£20k is the figure I was thinking of (of course he could be trying to bluff the banker by writing something else in the book)

Very strong board. Reaching 11-box with all power 5 should give an excellent offer. Had he not revealed he had a target he may well have got offered it at 11-box...

Ok, 20k it is then! But we've had players who have 'lied' when writing their targets down. Admitting at the end their actual target is lower. I don't take him as one of those but we could possibly see a deal at 11box if he doesn't kill it in the next box *and* they offer a genuine amount for the board.

Round 3

Charlie talks about how he wants to take his wife on a cruise for their diamond wedding anniversary soon, and he explains he proposed to his wife when they were doing a waltz.

12 - Hayley - £10,000

3 - Victoria - 10p

Noel calls a break...

We're back

Last box before the Banker

Noel tells a story about how Charlie surprised his father-in-law when he was dressed as a woman!

4 - Brenda - 50p

Banker time