Phil's game today.

Noel says this is the finest pantomime there's ever been, and all the contestants are dressed as various pantomime characters.

Phil has box 5.

Phil is from London, and is a learning support mentor, working with young children to help them develop their skills and get qualifications. He talks about what he does, and Noel says his enthusiasm for his job is infectious. Phil shows a photo of his family, and he has various family members in the audience today. Noel shows us a stone that Phil has, and he says it heats up when he holds it.

Here we go...

Round 1

The banker rings and wishes everyone a merry Christmas, and says everyone looks incredible. He then explains the Panto twist.

Christmas Panto Specials twist:

The magic lamp in the studio will either make the player's wish come true, or the banker's wish come true. When the player gets to 5-box, they choose one of 3 doors in the lamp's smoke. 1 door has the banker's wish behind it, but 2 doors have the player's wish behind it. If the player's wish comes true, the player can either advance one box at a time after 5-box, win a holiday or choose a present from the Christmas tree. One present has a pair of the banker's pants in it and the other one has £5,000. If the banker gets his wish come true, then he'll look in the player's box.

11 - Jacques - £50

14 - Elaine - £10,000

1 - Peter - £750

13 - Lavinne - £1,000

17 - Mark - £100

Banker time

The banker says he'd like to push Phil out a window!

Banker's offer:

£11,000

Phil says "wow" at the offer.

Phil says

NO DEAL

Hopefully during the specials all players are in live play at five box.

Noel calls a break...

They've learned their lesson from the catapult - the twist is actually properly favourable (and even offers more gameplay choices - I'd pick from the Christmas tree if I had a bad board and go one-at-a-time if I had a good one, I suspect).

We're back

Round 2

4 - Ioannis - £3,000

18 - Adam - £5,000

Zoe now, and Noel realises she's the Golden Goose and gets her to show her full outfit.

7 - Zoe - £250

Banker time

Noel talks about how Phil has removed all the low reds, but has all the low blues left, and the banker says it's unusual.

Banker's offer:

£15,000

Phil says

NO DEAL

This really is a polarised board - the eight amounts to go in the first two rounds were eight of the nine between £50 and £10,000 inclusive. Astonishing.

Round 3

15 - Charlton - 10p

Phil does a lap of honour!

8 - newbie Margaret - £20,000

Noel says it's exceptional to have the entire Power 5 in play at this point.

Noel calls a break...

This is definitely a board on which a Deal before the twist might normally be a very good idea. Presumably the Banker and/or Noel will force the No Deal at 8-box this week though.

We're back

Last box before the Banker

20 - Baz - £250,000

"OH NOOOO!" shouts Phil.

Banker time

Well that makes sure of no 11-box Deal.

The banker says Phil and him could get into a panto-type argument over whether this is a strong board or not.

Banker's offer:

£7,000

Noel asks who on the wings would deal now, and none would.

Phil says

NO DEAL

Round 4

21 - Iain - 50p

19 - Amy-Jo - £500

9 - Gail - £50,000

Banker time

The banker reminds Phil that he gets to rub the genie's lamp if he declines this offer.

Banker's offer:

£8,500