Deal Or No Deal winner faces benefit fraud charge

Caroline Banana is accused of failing to tell the authorities about her winnings (Facebook)

A mother-of-two who won £95,000 on the TV show Deal or No Deal has been charged with benefit fraud.

Caroline Banana, 40, of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, is accused of failing to tell the authorities about her winnings.

Claimants much inform the Department of Work and Pensions if their bank balance exceeds £16,000, either due to a windfall or inheritance.

Banana, who appeared on the Channel 4 show hosted by Noel Edmonds in November 2011, now faces prosecution from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

A spokesman from Stoke City Council said Banana is alleged to have been overpaid 6758.01 in housing benefit, council tax and income support between March 28 2011 and May 13 2012.

Banana, of Bentilee, will appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on February 20 to face the charges, the council spokesman said.

PA