A BRADFORD woman who hopes to inspire others has spoken about her “amazing” experience of appearing as a contestant on the game show Deal or No Deal.
Jane Walton, 64, of Low Moor, who has been deaf since birth, appeared on the ITV game show in December and won £1,600.
Speaking to the T&A during Deaf Awareness Week, which runs from May 6 to May 12, Mrs Walton said: “I’ve always wanted to be on a TV game show. It was on my bucket list.
“I’ve applied to many TV shows to no avail but when I applied to Deal or No Deal during spring 2023, after a few auditions I was delighted and very surprised to be picked to be a contestant.
“It was an absolute dream come true for me. It meant such a lot as deaf people are often excluded or not thought about in game shows.
“I was determined to prove to society that deaf people can do it.
“I found the whole experience amazing and far beyond my expectations and am delighted to have been part of the first series of Deal or No Deal with Stephen Mulhern.
“Other contestants were amazing. They were so lovely and warm with me, some even wanted to learn sign language. That meant such a lot as communication has always been an issue for me.
“I am grateful to Banijay/Remarkable Productions for arranging and booking sign language interpreters to enable me to participate 100 per cent. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
“I didn’t expect to win a lot of money as all I wanted was to be on Deal or No Deal, as I loved watching the original series with Noel Edmonds.
“I won £1,600 and did not beat the banker but I had such a wonderful and emotional time in the studios.
“I even commented on the show that ‘I came with nothing and will leave very, very rich because I met you all (contestants) and you (Stephen Mulhern)’.
“I may not hear but I can see and I was absorbing it all. I loved the buzz of being in the studios. It was ‘music to my eyes’.
“Stephen Mulhern was lovely, warm, approachable and cheeky. I have a sign name for him ‘cheeky’ and he loved it!
“Stephen learned a bit of sign language and used it with me on TV. How amazing is that! I hope this will be an inspiration to other TV presenters.
“People have said to me that my show made them cry and that I gave positive vibes. I really hope my show will inspire people in the TV profession to think differently about deaf and disabled people who really want to take part.
“It’s pleasing to know that more and more deaf/hard of hearing people are on TV more these days.”
Mrs Walton has been married to her husband Kevin, who is also deaf, for 41 years. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
The episode featuring Mrs Walton is available on ITVX and first aired on December 8, 2023.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here