Deal Or No Deal star is ‘overwhelmed’ as over £11,000 is raised for him after he left viewers emotional by revealing terminal health diagnosis in ‘most gut-wrenching and saddest’ episode

Deal Or No Deal viewers were left emotional after one of the ‘saddest’ episodes aired on Thursday.

During the ITV show, contestant Brad Wale broke down in tears as he told host Stephen Mulhern he doesn’t have that much time left following a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis.

The terminal disease affects the motor nerves which eventually degenerate and die, making the muscles weaker and weaker, eventually leading to a paralysis. 

Brad revealed he was likely to have only a few years to live, but added that physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with MND and yet lived for 55 years, as he tried to raise money to achieve his bucket list goals before sadly walking away with just £5.

Since appearing on the show, his friend and Deal Or No Deal co-star Rochelle Hughes has set up a fundraiser in a bid to help Brad achieve his goals – which has already raised more than £11,000.

Deal Or No Deal viewers were left emotional during the ‘most gut-wrenching’ and ‘saddest’ episode on Thursday as a contestant called revealed his terminal health diagnosis 

During the ITV show, contestant Brad broke down in tears as he told host Stephen Mulhern he doesn’t have that much time left following his Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis

Brad, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, took to Facebook after the show aired to confess he felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of support he received from viewers and the fundraiser.

He wrote: ‘Just want to say a massive thank you, for all the messages of support I have had! I’m truly overwhelmed by it all and never in my life did I expect it. I had the best two weeks filming this amazing show and have truly made friends for life. 

‘I will eventually get around to replying to everyone, don’t think I’m ignoring anyone. It wasn’t meant to be but I’ve come away with so much more than money. 

‘Stephen Mulhern and all of the production team on the show were honestly the nicest person you’d wish to meet and I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity.’

Brad’s Deal Or No Deal co-star and pal Rochelle also set up a GoFundMe in a bid to raise money to help him achieve his bucket list goals.

The fundraiser has amazingly already raised more than £11,706 of its £12,500 goal in less than 24 hours with more than 1,000 donations, as of 4.30pm on December 1.

A description on the page read: ‘Hi! I’m Rochelle, Brad’s friend from Deal or No Deal! I’m sure you all saw Brads devastating game on Deal or No Deal. 

‘His DOND family really want him to fulfil his dreams and we have set this up on the hope that anyone could maybe spare a couple of pounds and get Brad to tick some bits off his Bucket List. We love you Brad.’

Brad, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, also took to Facebook after the show aired to confess he felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of support he received from viewers

Brad’s Deal Or No Deal co-star and pal Rochelle has set up a GoFundMe in a bid to raise money to help him achieve his bucket list, which has already had more than £11,000 in donations

In a very emotional appearance on the show, Brad told the host he wanted to on the show to win some cash, which would help him tick things off his ‘bucket list’, as well as aiming to leave his family some money.

Several people in the studio were also in tears after listening to the brave contestant’s story.

Yet Brad proved he is trying his best to embrace the condition and find a positive perspective to face it all.

The contestant played an excellent game, with many people pushing for him to score a big win.

He had a promising start on the game, as he managed to shed more blue boxes than red, while he had the massive £100,000 yet to be discovered.

The banker then called with a £12,500, with the £75,000 box still in the play.

Brad followed his mum’s advice, who encouraged him to keep playing due to his lucky streak.

But at that point things took a typically unexpected turn as Brad rejected the cash offer – revealing he was aiming at winning £75,000.

Yet the high-risk game turned out to have a harsher outcome than expected, when Brad was left with four boxes including the amounts £75,000, £5,000, £10 and £5.

When the fourth and last box revealed the highest amount that Brad was dreaming of, it left the contestant as well as viewers at home devastated.

It marked one of the ‘most gut-wrenching’ episodes of the show, with several people in the studio also breaking down to tears after listening to the brave contestant’s story – with many of his co-stars wiping away the tears

Deal Or No Deal viewers were moved by Brad’s story, with several taking to X/Twitter to share their support as they were upset by the game’s outcome

It got worse when Brad eliminated the next box with a £5,000 amount, as he told host Stephen: ‘This is my life. I’ve always had such bad luck. Nothing changes, I should have expected this.’

He received a final offer from the banker of just £4, as Brad finished off opening his box which had only £5 all along. 

WHAT IS MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE?

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages.

It’s caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. These cells gradually stop working over time. It’s not known why this happens.

Having a close relative with motor neurone disease, or a related condition called frontotemporal dementia, can sometimes mean you’re more likely to get it. But it doesn’t run in families in most cases.

Early symptoms can include weakness in your ankle or leg, like finding it hard to walk upstairs; slurred speech, finding it hard to swallow, a weak grip, and gradual weight loss.

If you have these symptoms, you should see a GP. They will consider other possible conditions and can refer you to a specialist called a neurologist if necessary.

If a close relative has motor neurone disease or frontotemporal dementia and you’re worried you may be at risk of it, they may refer you to a genetic counsellor to talk about your risk and any tests you can have

Source: NHS UK 

Deal Or No Deal viewers were moved by Brad’s story, with several taking to X/Twitter to share their support as they were upset by the game’s outcome.

One viewer penned: ‘That was the most gut wrenching thing i’ve watched in so long… brad i love u #DealOrNoDeal.’

A second user agreed sharing their feelings: ‘#Brad #DealorNoDeal Never before have I wanted someone to win big on a TV game show, as I did today. So sad it never happened What a beautiful, funny, courageous man he is. I really hope he can achieve his bucket list X.’

 A third wrote ‘Everyone after watching Brad’s game’ and shared a gif reaction saying ‘Alright I’m gonna go cry’.

‘Omg Brad, diagnosed with MND, I pray he wins big on #DealOrNoDeal @StephenMulhern @ITVX @itv,’ said another person.

Another viewer of the show run in his defence and begged: ‘#DealOrNoDeal can we please start a gofundme or something for brad ??? surely deserves it, what an incredible man.’

‘That has got to be one of the saddest Deal or No Deal’s I have seen. Poor Brad.  #DealOrNoDeal,’ another one reacted.

‘Felt so sorry for Brad such a wonderful man made me cry when he said all he’s had is bad luck though his life #DealOrNoDeal,’ penned another person.

Since receiving his MND diagnosis, Brad has fundraised to try and find a cure for the disease, taking part in a skydive in September last year, which raised £3,685.

He said on his fundraising page ahead of the dive: ‘My one wish is for them to find a cure or a decent treatment to ease symptoms and prolong life.

‘This is the reason I am doing a sponsored skydive, to raise much needed funds to get that one step closer.’

He split the money raised between two charities – the Motor Neurone Disease Association and The Cavalier Centre.

After completely the skydive, Brad wrote on his fundraising page: ‘What an amazing experience it was too! One more thing ticked off my bucket list.’

Despite having a promising start, Brad’s game worsen when he eliminated the next box with a £5,000 amount, as he told host Stephen: ‘This is my life. I’ve always had such bad luck. Nothing changes, I should have expected this’

Since receiving his MND diagnosis, Brad has fundraised to try and find a cure for the disease, taking part in a skydive in September last year, which raised £3,685

Brad reportedly lives with his family because of his condition but said he is still trying to stay as ‘independent as possible’ and ‘fight’ the disease

As well as his skydive, he has also hosted cake sales and tombolas in a bid to raise funds for charity and spread awareness about the disease.

According to Shropshire Live, Brad lives with his family because of his condition but said he is still trying to stay as ‘independent as possible’ and ‘fight’ the disease.

Last year, Brad – who previously lived in Spain for four years before moving back to England when his symptoms first emerged – told how he was no longer able to walk up stairs due to the condition worsening.

To donate to Brad’s GoFundMe, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/37j2m2k6ko

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