The first contestant to sit in the hot seat is.....

CHRIS COOPER!

The sums of money are as follows:

1p, 5p, 10p, 50p, £1, £5, £10, £50, £100, £500, £750,
£1000, £3000, £5000, £10000, £15000, £20000, £35000, £50000, £75000, £100000 and £250000.

The boxes have been sealed, and the only person who knows where the big money is is me.

Chris Cooper, please pick a box between 1 and 22. This will be your box.

Then pick 5 other boxes and then well get our first deal from the banker.

Very good luck, Chris. May fate and good guessing be on your side.