ITV's popular quiz programme The Chase has found itself at the centre of viewer controversy this week, with fans calling for one of its regular chasers to be axed following what many described as an 'absolutely horrendous' performance.
Disappointing Final Chase
In the episode which aired on Tuesday, January 27, host Bradley Walsh introduced four new contestants: Becci, Matthew, Shenagh, and Toby. Their opponent was Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace, who managed to eliminate both Becci and Toby during the earlier rounds of the game.
Shenagh, aged 60, and Matthew, aged 26, progressed to face Wallace in the Final Chase, playing for a £6,000 prize to split between them. The pair managed to set a target of just 12 steps for the chaser to catch.
Close Call Sparks Outrage
Despite the relatively low target, Wallace struggled throughout the final round and only managed to catch the pair with a mere 15 seconds remaining on the clock. This unexpectedly close call prompted immediate reaction from viewers watching at home.
Writing on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, fans didn't hold back in their criticism of Wallace's performance. One viewer penned: 'Shaun had another absolutely horrendous day at the office.'
Another added: '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.'
A third remarked: 'That was really bad from Shaun. Jenny got 12 questions with 1 minute left yesterday.' While a fourth chimed in with: 'Embarrassing from Shaun, anyone else would retire.'
Not All Critical
However, not all viewers shared this harsh assessment of Wallace's performance. One fan commented in his defence: 'I do love Shaun.' This division among the audience highlights the passionate following the show has developed over its fifteen-year run.
Previous Controversies
This isn't the first time The Chase has found itself embroiled in controversy recently. In a different episode, viewers hit out at presenter Bradley Walsh for what they perceived as 'making rules up' during a crucial moment.
During a Final Chase against Mark 'The Beast' Labbett, remaining contestants Ian and Marsha achieved a score of 18 for the chaser to catch. When Bradley asked a biblical question about which beautiful woman King David saw bathing, Labbett incorrectly answered 'Jezebel'.
Marsha then called out 'Helen!' before Ian correctly answered 'Bathsheba'. Despite Bathsheba being the right answer, Walsh revealed he couldn't accept it because Marsha, who wasn't the designated spokesperson, had answered incorrectly first 'without nomination'.
The episode concluded with Labbett catching the duo with just one second remaining. In response to what occurred, one viewer wrote: 'Disgraceful making rules up on the spot. Brad.'
Interestingly, Mark Labbett himself came across this comment and responded: 'I can guarantee that the adjudicator made that call rather than Brad.' The fan replied: 'I expect they did Mark. But our Brad is the face of the programme, and he was let down.'
Television History Made
In another notable episode prior to this controversy, viewers claimed a contestant 'made television history' with what they called a 'first time moment' in the show's extensive run.
Amanda, from High Wycombe, explained she wanted exactly £800, having promised to buy her son expensive Balenciaga trainers if she won. After bagging £4,000 in her cash builder round, she ultimately chose to play for Paul Sinha's low offer of £800.
Luck proved to be on the magazine editor's side as she triumphed to advance to the Final Chase. Speaking immediately afterwards, Bradley Walsh said: 'This is extraordinary. 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.'
Continuing, the presenter added: 'That's a funny old journey that!' Paul Sinha then brutally remarked: 'I mean, it's television history, but it's a terrible indictment of the state of society.'
The Chase continues to air weekdays at 5pm on ITV1 and ITVX, maintaining its position as one of Britain's most popular and talked-about quiz programmes despite occasional controversies.
