A Golden Balls contestant who lost £100,000 in one of the biggest betrayals in British TV history is now in thousands of pounds of debt – but would still choose to share the cash if he had the chance.
Stephen Bushnall, 50, remains an internet sensation 15 years after the infamous episode of the ITV show first aired on television.
The business development manager has become a meme and the clip often still goes viral on Instagram and Tiktok where he got deceived by fellow contestant Sarah in the final round of the show.
It remains one of the most shocking moments in TV history, with millions of people left feeling sorry for Stephen who wanted to split the £100,000 between the two, with £50,000 each.
Since the show aired he has faced difficult challenges in life and is now £20,000 in debt.
He told : ‘£50,000 at the time would have changed my life. I was in a lot of debt then and I still am now.’
Stephen Bushnall, 50, remains an internet sensation 15 years after the infamous episode of the ITV show Golden Balls
Stephen lost £100,000 to Sarah on TV’s Golden Balls during a ‘split or steal’ ending
It remains one of the most shocking moments in TV history and Stephen says he’s still not over it. Pictured, Stephen and host Jasper Carrott react to the infamous ‘Steal’ moment
Stephen, of Hartlepool, County Durham, added: ‘Like a lot of people, I am struggling. Life is tough.
‘I was absolutely devastated when it happened. I was in a state of pure shock and broke down in tears.
‘It would have been amazing. It would have sorted out a lot of problems and I played the game fairly.
‘And right now I am £20,000 in debt through owed money and credit card bills. The cost of living crisis has been very tough.
‘But, if I had my chance again, I would still pick to share the money. That is the sort of person I am and always will be.
‘I could not have lived with myself if I had stolen all that money from someone. It is not who I am.
‘And now, even though I lost all of it, if I went back on I would share. Regardless of the financial situation I am in and what happened.
‘I don’t know any different.’
Stephen has admitted the money would have changed his life at the time and now
Stephen thinks there is a good chance Golden Balls could not be commissioned today because it is ‘too brutal
Stephen thinks there is a good chance Golden Balls could not be commissioned today because it is ‘too brutal’.
The show aired between 2007 and 2009 and was presented by comedian Jasper Carrott.
It saw contestants collect cash and bluff their way to the last round. The final two then choose to share or steal the remaining money.
It both shared it was split but if one stole while the other shared – like Stephen and Sarah – then that player keeps all the money for themselves. If they both stole, they left empty-handed.
He added: ‘I went on in 2008 and even then I think the world was a very different place to 2023. I think Golden Balls could be cancelled now with how culture the way it is.
‘It is brutal. But I did know that is what the show is like. I often think about it and I was utterly convinced Sarah was going to share.
‘I could not picture anything else happening. She looked me in the eye and told me she would share and I believed her.
‘A body-language expert spoke to me a few years afterwards and said looking back they could tell she was going to steal.
‘I had no idea.’
Stephen has never spoken to Sarah since the show but said he has a clear message for her if their paths were to cross.
He added: ‘I’d say I hope the money made her happy. I really hope she invested it and spent it wisely.
‘I’d hate to think it got wasted on material things.
‘And I’d say no hard feelings. Don’t get me wrong I was absolutely devastated.
‘But I just hope she is OK. It would be good to reunite and meet and see how she got on with everything. I’m very intrigued by what she spent it on. I just hope it made her happy.’
Stephen has not spoken to Sarah since the show ended and does not know how she spent the money
Stephen says that if the pair met again he would ask her if the money brought her happiness
He said he was looked after by Jasper and backstage crew when the filming ended.
He added: ‘I broke down in tears when it happened and I went out after with Jasper Carrott and a few of the production staff for a few drinks.
‘But one of my first thoughts was asking if Sarah was okay. People thought I had gone mad but that’s what happened.
‘Jasper was great. We kept in touch for a few years afterwards.
‘The show was very intense. It was pure greed.
‘As soon as it was done we went our separate ways and that was that. I have never spoken to her since.
‘She has never been in contact and never offered me any of the money.’
Stephen said he is contacted several times a month by pals who see old clips resurface.
He added: ‘Sarah must get the same as well. It always pops up on Facebook, Instagram and now Tiktok.
‘People send it to me and joke that I am still famous. I have been stopped in the street a few times by people wanting to chat and ask how it was.
‘It’s all quite surreal still, especially after all these years.
‘I read somewhere someone else might like to one day present it and take it on but I am not sure society can handle it the way it was anymore.’