In a dramatic and explosive episode of ITV's popular quiz show The Chase, Mark Labbett, famously known as 'The Beast', erupted in a furious tantrum that left viewers stunned. The intense moment unfolded during Wednesday's broadcast, as the 60-year-old chaser slammed the table and screamed "idiot!" in frustration after a critical wrong answer cost him the game.
Team Triumph Sparks Beast's Outburst
Host Bradley Walsh, 65, welcomed four new contestants to the studio: Katheryn, Paddy, Kamal, and Savannah, who collectively aimed to outsmart Labbett and secure a cash prize. The team demonstrated impressive knowledge during their cash-builder rounds, with Katheryn accumulating £6,000, Paddy building £7,000, Kamal securing £4,000, and Savannah earning £5,000.
All four contestants successfully reached the final chase with a substantial £13,000 prize fund at stake. Working cohesively as a unit, they answered an impressive 22 questions correctly within the two-minute timeframe, putting significant pressure on their formidable opponent.
The Moment of Explosive Frustration
The tension reached its peak when Bradley Walsh posed the crucial question: "The Mauretania was a ship of what cruise line?" An uncertain Mark Labbett hesitantly responded with "P&O?" prompting Walsh to immediately stop the clock.
In a moment of raw frustration, a fuming Labbett exclaimed "Oh! Idiot!" while forcefully slamming the table before him. Contestant Savannah then provided the correct answer—Cunard—which pushed The Beast back yet again in the chase. With merely 14 seconds remaining, Labbett answered the subsequent question incorrectly, sealing the team's victory over the chaser.
Bradley Walsh subsequently informed the triumphant contestants that they would each be taking home £3,250 from their collective win.
Viewer Backlash Over Prize Distribution
While the team celebrated their victory, viewers at home expressed significant dissatisfaction with how the prize money was divided. The controversy stemmed from the fact that two contestants had opted for lower offers earlier in the show, yet still received an equal share of the final winnings.
Fans took to social media platform X to voice their concerns, with many arguing that prize distribution should reflect individual contributions. One viewer commented: "If you beat the chaser you should only get out what you put in." Another added: "Paddy deserves £12,500 of that jackpot #thechase," highlighting that Paddy had accumulated the highest individual amount during the cash-builder round.
Further criticism emerged, with one social media user stating: "If the team win; they should collect what they each brought to the table. Only fair..." while another remarked: "I hope they don’t win lol. The low offer losers don’t deserve it."
Recent Controversies and Viewer Demands
This incident follows recent viewer calls for changes to The Chase, including demands for certain chasers to be replaced. Earlier in the week, fans described Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace's performance as "absolutely horrendous" after he narrowly caught a team with just 15 seconds remaining in their final chase.
Viewers expressed their opinions online, with one stating: "About time they started changing the Chasers on the show to keep it fresh. Shaun would be the first to go, just not up to it anymore." Another added: "Embarrassing from Shaun, anyone else would retire," though some defended Wallace with comments like "I do love Shaun."
The show has faced other controversies recently, including viewer accusations that Bradley Walsh "made rules up" during a previous episode when he declined to accept a correct answer from a contestant who wasn't the designated spokesperson. Mark Labbett himself intervened in this debate, clarifying that "the adjudicator made that call rather than Brad."
Historical Moments and Social Commentary
The Chase has witnessed several notable moments throughout its 15-year run. In a previous episode, contestant Amanda from High Wycombe made what Bradley Walsh described as television history by specifically playing for £800—the exact amount she needed to purchase Balenciaga trainers for her son—and successfully advancing to the final chase.
Walsh remarked: "I think this is the first time ever in 15 years that someone has come on for something specific and actually got the amount they needed, specifically for that amount and then got through." Chaser Paul Sinha offered a more critical perspective, commenting: "I mean, it's television history, but it's a terrible indictment of the state of society."
As The Chase continues to air weekdays at 5pm on ITV1 and ITVX, viewer discussions about fairness, performance, and format changes show no signs of diminishing. The combination of dramatic moments like Labbett's explosive reaction and ongoing debates about prize distribution ensures the quiz show remains a talking point among its dedicated audience.
