MAN of mystery Phoenix Stewart says his lucky boxer shorts helped him to beat the banker on Deal or No Deal.

Phoenix, 25, of Greenmeadow, will appear in his game on the Channel 4 show tonight where viewers will see him scooping £11,000.

Phoenix, who has appeared on the show since January, has been a talking point on the show by keeping tight-lipped over his true identity.

The former New College student changed his name by deed poll two years ago but has not told anyone on the show what his original name was.

He said: “My name was a bit of a running joke through the programme. I had been using the name since I was 18 or 19 but got it changed officially two years ago.

“I didn’t say anything to my parents but my mum found out eventually when I was getting post with ‘Phoenix’ on it. They obviously knew on the show what my name was because I had to tell them when I applied but it didn’t come out when I was there.

“I’d be interested to see if they tell people on the show after mine.”

Contestants usually take pictures of family and friends on the show for support but Phoenix had two lucky items with him – his lucky pink pants and a pink unicorn as well as his two friends Lee and Shaun in the audience.

“I had this pink unicorn on the show called Charlie.

“Most people take pictures on but I thought it would be really good if I could get it on the show.

“I think Charlie the unicorn is more famous than me – he has his own Facebook page and everything.”

Phoenix, who works for John Lewis, was at home watching the show last year when he decided to apply and was invited by programme makers Endemol for audition.

He then made it through three auditions and two interviews.

When Phoenix got the call he had only just started at the new John Lewis store at the Mannington Retail park but his manager let him have the time off.

“It was a bit awkward because I had only just started my job so I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go,” he said.

“My boss, Dominic Joyce, was really good though and said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and just do it.”

Phoenix, who spent his time on the show in the West Wing, said it was an “amazing experience” and made some great friends during his nine days filming in Bristol.

He said: “We were off to the studios each day between 7am and 8am and we finished at 7pm, when it was back to the hotel bar.

“If a contestant from that day had a big win it was kind of expected that they left some behind the bar.

“There were highs and lows – when Dale won £100,000 we were all buzzing.

“I have kept in contact with all of them on Facebook – there were some really nice people on there and you get to know them really well in the short time you are there.”

Phoenix appears on the Deal or No Deal Valentine’s special today at 4.25pm.