Shropshire grandfather misses Deal or No Deal jackpot

A Shropshire grandfather-of-one missed out on being one of the biggest winners on a television quiz show. Chris Brown, of Bridgnorth, took on the banker in a bid to win the top prize of £250,000 on Channel Four's Deal or No Deal.

The game involves the player picking a number box to open, each of which contains a particular sum of money from 1p to £250,000.

Mr Brown turned down separate offers by a banker of £20,000, £10.250; £16,000; £6,000 and £17,000 before accepting £28,750.

But when Mr Brown opened the box he had selected for himself it contained the second highest amount of £100,000.

Viewers heard how Mr Brown had married his wife, Linda, in July 2008, but had first met her 25 years before.

He told show host Noel Edmonds he was first introduced to her on her 17th birthday in 1983.

"Unfortunately, I went out on the night-time and just forgot all about Linda. Two marriages later, one for Linda and one for myself, and seven children later we finally came back together. We have now got between us seven teenage children."

Mr Brown said at the end of the show broadcast yesterday: "I have mixed emotions. I had a great game but just couldn't quite get to the finish line."