A RETIRED bar lady had the “time of her life” when she took part in a popular television game show.

Doreen Smith, 74, appeared on Channel 4 favourite Deal or No Deal – and scooped £17,000.

The Easthampstead resident, who has lived in Bracknell for 48 years, said: “It was truly amazing – the people were amazing; I can’t really describe it. It was the best time of my life.

“I wasn’t really thinking about the money side, I was on such a high.” Doreen, who worked at The Golden Farmer, in Reed’s Hill, for almost 25 years, watched the programme among friends at the pub when it was shown on TV on Tuesday last week.

She said: “I have 18 grand-children and five sons and a daughter. I always thought if I was lucky enough to get on the show I would like to win between £15,000 and £20,000 so I was really happy.” Filming for the shows took place towards the end of last year and Doreen said: “I received the cheque in December so I was able to get some extra Christmas presents. I paid a couple of bills and took some friends out for lunches.” Her daughter Sharon, who was in the studio when Doreen took part, said: “She deserves what she got because she’s looked out for all the family so it was nice for her to win.” The show – which attracts up to one million viewers –involves a single contestant trying to beat the banker.

Doreen opened 17 of the 22 identical sealed red boxes assigned to potential contestants – containing random sums of money ranging from 1p to £250,000 – before choosing to deal at £17,000.

If she had played the game to the end, her box contained £20,000, but Doreen said it was one of the best days of her life.