Grant Denyer has lifted the lid on an unusual phenomenon plaguing Deal or No Deal — and says it’s something he’s never encountered on any other game show.

Seasoned presenter Grant Denyer has revealed a bizarre behind-the-scenes detail about Channel 10’s Deal or No Deal- something he claims has never happened on any other game show he’s hosted.

Speaking to news.com.au podcast host Andrew Bucklow on Monday, Denyer, 47, admitted that for reasons still unclear, a surprising number of people faint while filming the hit program.

“I’ve never said this and I don’t even know if I’m allowed to, but we have quite a few fainters!” Denyer said.

Grant Denyer has admitted that for reasons still unclear, a surprising number of people faint while filming Australia’s Deal or No Deal game show. Picture: David Caird

“So, up on the podium where people are holding the cases, it’s quite regular that someone goes down.”

Denyer, who has hosted the rebooted version of the game show since 2024 after its decade-long hiatus, said the phenomenon remains a mystery, but suspects it’s related to nerves and pressure.

“There’s an incredible medical team, and people constantly keep an eye out for early warning signs,” he explained.

“I’ve never said this and I don’t even know if I’m allowed to, but we have quite a few fainters!” Denyer said. Picture: news.com.au

The father of three, who has hosted Family Feud, Million Dollar Minute, Australia’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, and Game of Games, mentioned he “didn’t expect” the number of fainting incidents on Deal or No Deal. Picture: news.com.au

“I don’t know whether it’s the pressure of the moment, or the heat of the lights, a lot of people get extremely nervous.

“It reminded me, you know how people say ‘public speaking is everyone’s worst fear’?

“Well, I think as they’re waiting for their turn to be selected, their central nervous system is all enraged, they’re sweating, and yeah, we have a lot of fainters.”

The father of three, who has hosted Family Feud, Million Dollar Minute, Australia’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, and Game of Games, mentioned he “didn’t expect” the number of fainting incidents on Deal or No Deal.

“I’ve never had it on any other television show,” he admitted.

“I don’t specifically know why it happens on Deal or No Deal more than anything else- it’s like a thing.”

Grant Denyer and his three daughters, Sailor, Scout and Sunday – on the set of his new game show Deal or No Deal in January 2024. Picture: Instagram

When asked what happens after someone faints, Denyer said the team “quickly extracts” the person and provides “urgent medical attention”, before typically picking a replacement from the audience “who looks close enough”.

The Gold Logie winner also recalled a time when the production team ended up saving someone’s life.

“So, a gentleman went down and we thought he was just a fainter,” Denyer recalled.

“We gave him all the appropriate care, then realised, ‘Hang on a second, his heart’s a little bit arrhythmic here, there’s a little bit more going on’.”

An ambulance was called, and the man was rushed to hospital.

 

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Denyer said the outcome could have been tragic had the medical incident not occurred during filming.

“He lives by himself in a remote regional community. He would never have made it to hospital himself. So we still get letters from him every month, just saying ‘Thank you so much, we wouldn’t be alive without you’,” Denyer shared.

Bucklow quipped: “So not only are you giving people the chance to win money, you’re saving their lives.”

“Mate, some people are changing lives- we’re saving them,” Denyer replied.

He then took a cheeky swipe at comedian Tom Gleeson, host of ABC’s Hard Quiz and 10’s Taskmaster Australia.

“Sucked in Tom Gleeson, you’re not doing that. What are you contributing to humanity?” Denyer joked.

Grant Denyer and Tom Gleeson in Celebrity Deal or No Deal. Picture: NCA

Interestingly, Gleeson was a regular on Channel 10’s The Project, which aired its final episode on Friday amid a sweeping programming shake-up.

From this week, Channel 10’s evening line-up features 10 News First at 5pm, followed by a new current affairs program 10 News+ hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace from 6pm Sunday to Thursday.

Deal or No Deal now airs at 7pm, going head-to-head with ABC News, Nine’s A Current Affair, and Seven’s Home and Away, which is in its 37th year.

To promote the show’s new slot, Denyer took to social media on Monday with a tongue-in-cheek warning.

“Now if you watch another show at 7pm, that show’s dead to you now,” he joked.

He also teased that Channel 10’s “news queen” Sandra Sully would appear in the first episode: “Oh my god, it’s a doozey!”