Former Corsham School pupil Calum Simpkins is basking in glory after winning £40,000 on the Channel 4 television show Deal Or No Deal.

Mr Simpkins, 20, of Elm Hayes in Corsham, who became a favourite among contestants after showing off his beat-boxing skills, also won a holiday for two in Mexico as part of the programme’s Seaside Specials week.

Viewers of Friday’s show saw Mr Simpkins play until the final round when he was left with 10p or £100,000 before he dealt at the banker’s offer of £40,000. It proved a wise choice as his box turned out to contain the 10p.

He said: “I thought it was a pretty good offer and I wanted to play until the very end. When he told me his offer I thought I would take that. It’s pretty cool, I’m so happy.

“When the £250,000 box was opened my legs turned to jelly, but I just thought I had to aim for the £100,000.”

He described presenter Noel Edmunds as: “a really nice guy and really funny, but he was a lot shorter than I expected.” He added: “All the contestants are as friendly as they look on tv, everyone gets on really well and they put you up at five star hotel in Bristol.”

Mr Simpkins, who works with his dad as a car valet, applied for the show in November. He said: “I’m not very clever so I didn’t think I’d be any good at Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, so I thought I’d give this a go.

“It was filmed back in March – I was there for 23 shows before it was my turn. I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone how much I won until the show was broadcast which was really difficult.”

Mr Simpkins watched the show with his family at the weekend before a party at Corsham Football Club.

He said: “Everyone thinks it’s wicked. I had a huge party and then went out in Bath. I can’t remember much about it, but I woke up with a massive headache.”

Mr Simpkins hopes to put half the prize money towards a new home and has split the rest between his mum, dad, sister and brother.

He said: “I want to build a bungalow in Corsham where I can live on my own and have some parties. I’ve decided to take my brother to Mexico with me, although a few days after the show, it was all over the news about swine flu, so I’m going to go next year instead.”

To see Mr Simpkins, visit www.dealornodeal.co.