Low self-esteem: the moment Grant Denyer realised he was ‘enough’

Grant Denyer is one of the most recognisable faces on Australian television. Here, he talks about overcoming his insecurities to finally find his true self, and self-worth.

Grant Denyer attends the 2024 AACTA Awards. Picture: Getty Images for AFI

He has been a fixture on our television for decades, yet Grant Denyer believes he has only now found his true self on screen.

The Deal or No Deal host has finally found the freedom he had been chasing for so long.

“I think this is finally the first television show where I am truly myself,” Denyer told Confidential.

“I think because of the low self-confidence, self-esteem and pretty terrible self-worth that I had growing up, I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer being myself, and so I was a patchwork of other people’s personalities.”

Denyer got his start at Prime Television Wagga Wagga in 1997. He went on to become one of our most recognisable faces on the box, with show credits from Sunrise to Family Feud.

The father of three won the coveted Gold Logie in 2018.

Deal or No Deal host Grant Denyer in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Whoever was on television and good at the time, I would steal a bit of their act and just make myself an amalgam of all of those people,” he explained.

“To be honest, the Gold Logie was finally a moment where I felt like I could let go of all of that and I realised that maybe I am enough.

“I’ve done a lot of work to get to that point so I feel very free up there and it is some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I think that is why people are loving it (Deal or No Deal).”

Denyer took over hosting duties on Deal or No Deal earlier this year when Channel 10 picked up the game show format.

The show sees contestants vie for a share of a cash prize of $100,000. Punters at home can now play along too, with the release of a New Deal or No Deal boardgame in which one box nationally contains a golden ticket to win $1 million.

Grant Denyer and his three daughters — Sailor, Scout and Sunday — on the set of his new game show Deal or No Deal. Picture: Instagram

“It has got more humour, heart and humanity than I gave it any credit for,” he said of the popular show.

“I thought people would come on and want to win money for stupid silly reasons like Botox or a golden Lamborghini, just flippant stuff.

“But I think in this high cost of living, I feel good about us giving large amounts of money away because people are wanting things like to be able to afford IVF to bring life into this world or life saving surgery. It is more meaningful than I expected it to be – I thought the TV show was just going to be an ATM machine spewing out cash. I didn’t expect it to make me feel like I feel and cry like I cry and laugh like I am going to vomit.”

Deal or No Deal airs 6pm on Ten Monday to Friday.