Bob won £27,000

Tuesday's DOND, subtitled 'Bob Battles Banker'. An ex-military man, he looked like Wallace and talked like a civilised Bernard Manning, he had been in hospital some weeks earlier though we were not going to find out why. Bob explained that as his wife couldn't he there, he had a lock of the horse's tail, 'because it was a lucky horse'. Bob had an easy nature which the audience warmed to immediately - there were a lot of people wanting him to do well - hospital always gets the sympathy vote.

Round one: His hospital bed was number 21 so he started with that, James opened £100. Staying with Plan A Sandra opened £100,000, not good, so Bob opted for Plan B, he looked across to Lucy. Lucy's 48th show, 'its all I have left in my life now', there are a lot of people who would like to change that Lucy! Everyone loves Lucy. She opened £1000, closely followed by £3000, and the final box of the round from JT contained £100. The banker offered £900, a very low offer considering the board, 'derisory' said Noel, 'No Deal' said Bob.

Round two: £50,000 from Cathy, Bob was completely unflustered by this despite Noel's concerns, he simply moved across to the other wing. Johnnie looked very smart, an ex-military speculated Bob, 'straight from the charity shops of Bristol' said Johnnie as heo opened £15,000, another red. After the break Steve opened £35,000 - three reds, a disastrous round.'Its a good job the £250,000 is sat right there' said Bob in best accent pointing at the box in front of him. 'This offer is to silence all you fools' said Noel quoting an unusually offensive banker - £350. The banker was playing Bob the way he played Geordie, who had also come to the show from a hospital bed. 'No Deal', said Bob.

Round three: Bob called for a quick round; Pete opened £10, Gabrielle 10p, Janet £10,000 - no 10 anythings left. The banker was fighting the whole room now, Noel threw down the receiver in mock-contempt, but related a £7000 offer. The board contained 7 blues, against 4 reds. Lucy advised that it was 'crunch time in a way... it was a good offer..and if turned down, then the banker might return to mind games...'. There was a growing momentum from contestants and audience alike, Bob should deal - this offer was 20 times higher than the last one. Bob was ready for the question, he'd been in tougher scrapes - 'No Deal'. He had just turned up the heat, the audience applauded their support, and Noel took control to get on with business, next round.

Round four: New girl Pat was next. In her excitement (everyone was excited now) she went to open before getting the go ahead from Noel - he roared across the floor to stop her - the audience laughed at her startled reaction, and probably in response to the break in tension. She had £750. Aaron wished Bob luck and opened £250. Find the blue Bob. He chose Jim, but we would have to wait until after the break to see the result. Returning, Noel built up the moment, was this the pivotal round? Yes it was, Jim had 1p. The board was now balanced, 4 reds against 4 blues. The banker offered £18,500, he was now playing ball, but Bob was playing for higer stakes - 'No Deal'. Could this be pivotal for the wrong reasons?

Round five: £50, the audience shouting his name as if he was drinking a yard of beer. £20,000 - the crowd groaned but Noel was positive, and so was Bob, he went to the beautiful Helen - £5. Cheers echoed around the studio, Bob waving his lucky horse hair. Noel spent a while chatting to the banker, but Bob was chewing his lip, looking to the lights; the barrage had ended, would this be the time to negotiate an honourable truce. The offer when it came was £27,000, a gorgeous blonde shouted 'No Deal'. The audience were polled, asked to stand if they felt he should deal - around half of them did. Noel went to suggest that rewards were for the brave, a strong push on Bob to keep going - what was Bob going to do? But Bob's eyes had no fight left, he said 'I think I have made my decision', the first time he had faltered during the game. Tears in his eyes, biting his lip, trying to control his voice - 'Deal'. The banker had finally found Bob's price.

Round six: £75,000, £5000, and Pat opened £1. Had Bob got the £250,000 in his box? The banker would have offered £85,000. Noel opened Bob's box to reveal ... £250,000. A lot of players don't really care what is in their box after calling 'Deal', but this was different. Bob had the opportunity to win the war, but had settled for a lesser victory.

Rule 1 - always go with the gorgeous blonde.