People here keep going on about how Dond has gone downhill etc. and i'm happy to say i've found a solution, but of course noting will ever be done about it.

Just don't kill me for saying this

The majority of contestants, (at least 80%, not all of them) i'm not going to beat about the bush, are working class, and at least 90% have sob stories. i think those two are both major factors for why people deal early. either because they need the money, or because they are emotional because of their story and therefore deal. whereas maybe middle or upper class contestants would be more willing to take a risk.

You do occasionally get the odd brave person, but nothing like compared to the first 1-2 years of dond.

So my suggestion would be start varying the classes of contestants like they did when dond was good, and stop discriminating and not letting many middle class on and pick people without sob stories but maybe have the odd one occasionally.i have nothing against the working class, i'm just saying it needs to be more varied.

Trust me, the problem lies with the contestant selection

I hope you understand what i mean

There's only one reaction to that: "hogwash!"

I was a contestant, and I'm a billionaire. It was quite fun mixing with the lower orders for a couple of weeks. They're ever so much more amusing than my platinum-clad chums.

In fact I offered to lend the banker a few quid in light of his investment in Iceland going pear-shaped. Good chap, you know. Very reasonable. I might have him on my yacht berthed at Monaco for dinner sometime.

I don't think they're actively choosing "working class" contestants. If there is a misrepresentation of classes on the show (and I don't think there is), then could it be that it's to do with the people who apply, rather than the people they choose to go on the show? They have a fair representation of the UK population as far as the numbers of male / female / old / young / gay / lesbian players are concerned. I'd be surprised therefore if there was a class imbalance.

And how would you define what class a contestant on DOND is in? Without access to their background information, the only way to "classify" them would be by using factors such as what they look / sound / dress like and what they work as, none of which are guaranteed measures of class really. I doubt there's a link between class and sob stories, or class and decision-making during the games.

While I really don't want to sound offensive here, I am really quite put out by what you have said on here tr4962! I realise it is just your opinion, but I have to say I disagree with it really strongly! Certainly in this climate isn't everyone working class? Just because people may have a little money in the bank doesn't make them above anyone else. Based on the people that I knew from the show, I would say that everyone was the same as each other. Everyone made their living and earnt their money, certainly some people had more money than others and isn't that the case with everyone now a days anyway? As for the sob stories I really don't think that people get chosen for those at all. However, I am a believer in what happens in your life makes you the person you are. Lets say for instance we take Claude, now, just because he has CP, is that a sob story? He certainly doesn't see it that way! Again, with Claude's game he didn't even really want to mention his circumstances about needing a new chair, we were stuck for a while on the £6,500 offer before Noel asked why it was taking us a while to decide, and even then Claude was reluctant to say. That's just one example.
tr4962, while I respect the fact that you have an opinion I have to say I think it's a load of rubbish! It's nothing to do with the people that are on the show at all, why don't you try looking at the offers and how they have declined so rapidly, and also maybe you should try watching the news and seeing the crisis of the money market that the world as a whole are currently in? All of people who go on the show, are very very proud and caring and you only get to see a 5 minute snapshot of their lives at the very beginning of each show, therefore to make you relate to the contestant the editors are going to put in the sad parts aren't they? IT BRINGS IN VIEWERS FOR GOODNESS' SAKE! Claude told a really really funny story at the first phone call and they left it out, simply because it probably wasn't the angle they were looking for with his game.
In future while I respect your opinion, I would prefer it if you could maybe express it in a slightly more articulate way instead of: don't let poor people or people who have had it tough come on the show!
Thanks rant over, now H I bet I'm going to get warned aren't I? And I will accept it too xxx

There's nothing wrong with what you've just said Alex.

I think the show shows a good representation of the British public. Keep it as it is.

Yes, well said Alex!!

I was lucky enough to spend a day (and evening in the bar!) with the DOND contestants a couple a weeks ago when my step-daughter was first on the the wings. I would say they were a good cross-section of the Great (in every sense!) British Public. There were people of all ages from all parts of the country; some were big extroverts, others were more reserved.

Everyone has their reasons for applying to DOND and I doubt many of the contestants see it as a serious way of getting rich quick - the odds against this are just too great. On a personal level, my SD applied almost as a joke after a colleague said to her "you ought to do that" while they were discussing the show in the office. As far as I know, she doesn't have a "sob story" to tell but wouldn't we all love to see a vivacious 23-year-old walk away with a life-changing sum of money?

I'm not saying theres anything wrong with it! sorry if you got that impression
I'm just saying its a theory for why there are more deals and why the banker tries to buy people for less.

And yes H2005 it might be due to those who apply,
but to be honest still i don't agree with those who say all backgounds of people are represented in the right proportion on the show.