After two years, 192 contestants and four seasons, a mother of three from Mgarr has become the first €25,000 winner on the TV game show Deal or No Deal, winning the cash on the episode aired on Friday. Maria Dolores Abela became the first contestant in the show’s two-year run to take the top prize home.

The episode began with 22 contestants dressed up as pirates that week.

After many refusals of hefty offers from the banker, risk after risk, and a nail-biting hour, Mrs Abela arrived at the point of selecting from two remaining boxes holding the largest amounts of money. She selected her own box that was sitting under her nose throughout all of the game.

Host Pablo Micallef announced the contestant as the toughest player ever on Deal or No Deal, remaining concentrated throughout the game.

Deal or No Deal is aired Monday through to Friday at 6.45pm on TVM.