THE secret banker on cult television show Deal or No Deal is a former North-East soap star, it was revealed yesterday.

Glenn Hugill was unmasked as the mysterious dealer who calls host Noel Edmonds on the hit Channel 4 show.

Although his identity or voice are never disclosed, the banker has amassed a huge following.

Mr Hugill, 41, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, is also the producer of the British version of the game show, which is screened in several countries.

It has become a surprise ratings success and has been credited with relaunching Mr Edmonds' career. He has recently been nominated for a Bafta award for hosting the show.

By coincidence, Mr Hugill's late father, Derek, was a banker, and worked as assistant manager of the NatWest bank in Barnard Castle.

Mr Hugill is best known for playing detective Alan McKenna in Coronation Street in the 1990s, and hosted Channel 5 series The Mole in 2001.

His role as banker in Deal or No Deal sees him offering cash to contestants to persuade them to quit, rather than continue on to a potentially bigger prize.

Twenty-two boxes contain amounts which range from £1 to the elusive £250,000 top prize.

The banker speaks to Mr Edmonds from the hidden Banker's Room at the Bristol studio, and has recently begun talking to the contestants.

Although clues are given to his identity, he has never been named.

A Deal or No Deal insider said that Mr Hugill made his deals and then decided on the amount to offer alongside two of the show's executives.

"A computer works out what to offer - but he makes the final decision," he said. "It's a vital role. He makes the contestants agonise over decisions - that's what makes it so popular."

Mr Hugill's agent said he was in the middle of a filming project, so was not available to comment.

She declined to speak about the claims.

Last night, a spokesman for the show could not confirm whether Mr Hugill was the banker.

"The identity of the banker will never be revealed," he said.

Published: 06/04/2006