Ben Shephard’s heartfelt gesture to emotional Deal or No Deal contestant on ITV Good Morning Britain

Ben Shephard has made a touching gesture to a Deal Or No Deal contestant who broke down during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.

Brad Wale appeared on the Stephen Mulhern-fronted gameshow earlier this week and opened up on his heartbreaking Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis – a rare life-limiting condition also suffered by the late professor Stephen Hawking, which affects the brain and nerves. Brad’s story struck a chord with viewers, particularly after he walked away from the ITV gameshow with just £5 in his pocket.

Struggling through tears, Brad told GMB’s Ed Balls and Susanna Reid that a fellow contestant has since set up an online fundraiser for him, which has already raised a staggering £110,000 – more than the show’s jackpot. Brad, who revealed he has a bucket list of things he wants to do in his life, joked: “I’ve got one thing on my list, I’ve always wanted a Ben Shephard blanket.”

Continuing, he laughed: “I’m obsessed with Ben Shephard, I’m going to be honest. My partner hates when I talk about Ben Shephard. I think he’s like a bit jealous to be honest, but I’m his biggest fan!”

Susanna quipped: “You don’t need to spend any money on that, we’ve got a cupboard full of them. We will send one to you straight away.” And Ben later took to Instagram later to share a clip from the show in which he informed him: “One coming your way Brad!!,” in a heartwarming gesture.

Describing his ordeal, meanwhile, Brad admitted: “It’s been a really long progress getting the diagnosis. It wasn’t until very recently. It sounds silly, but when I was told that for the first time it was almost a relief. I get cramping in my hands, cramping in my feet. I’m not able to walk much at all anymore.

“I’ve been having speech therapy, and that’s got a bit better. But I’m really tired, that still goes. I just have to have lots of adaptations and stuff these days to kind of do life. But I’m a big believer in positivity and I think as long as I stay positive, I can fight it all the way.”

And asked by Susanna what he’d like to spend the donations on, Brad explained that he’d like to embark on the trip of a lifetime to India or Thailand. “It’s basically going to see places really, and I’ve always wanted to do a bungee jump,” Brad said. “I’ve always been skint and I feel honoured, blessed and guilty all at the same time – like I don’t like taking money off anyone. To be given this kindness to me is something I’d never, ever expect.”