THE Chase star Mark Labbett has called out show producers after fans slammed the ITV series as “boring” and unwatchable”.
The backlash from fans came after Shaun Wallace, 64, took out a team of contestants with eight seconds remaining.
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The Chase star Mark Labbett has called out show bosses after fans slammed the series as ‘abysmal’Credit: ITV
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Their comments came after Friday’s contestants lost out on the cash prizeCredit: ITV
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Chaser Shaun Wallace told the contestants ‘it is about the chase and you have been caught’
Appearing on Friday’s episode, four new contestants were tasked with taking on The Chase.
Dylan from Llan Ffestiniog was up first, but despite bagging £4k in the cashbuilder round, he decided to play for the low offer of £1,000.
Jade from Exmouth was next up, also winning £4,000 but opting for the £1k – but she was beaten by Chaser Shaun.
Rachel from London was offered a high prize of £53,000 after getting £3,000 in the cashbuilder – yet she too went for the low offer of £1,000.
Tom from Morpeth was last up and won £6k in the cashbuilder, but he ALSO opted for £1k.
After the incredible decision, Shaun commented: “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever played in my 14 years of The Chase that everybody’s gone low for £1,000.”
And fans soon waded in with their criticism of the team, slamming the show as “dull” and “boring”.
One fan was even more condemning, posting: “This show is officially unwatchable.
“I never thought it would be like this… but it’s a sad, sorry state of affairs.
“This episode deserves to be nuked, leaving behind not a trace for anyone to find it again.
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One fan was also swift to remark on the team’s decision, posting: “It is getting dull now.”
Another added: “Another BORING team on the chase.”
One more ranted: “Today’s team the most boring ever.
“What’s the point of going on a quiz show and happy with minimal amounts of money.
“Shame as I used to love the programme.
And brainbox Mark, dubbed The Beast on Bradley Walsh’s hit show, also weighed in on the disappointing form of the contestants after watching the show at home.
The Chaser wrote: “With hindsight maybe the producers should have a put a stronger player in the team.”
One fan replied: “Maybe the producers need to get their heads together and sort all this out.
They’re going to stop watching if they’re not careful. Today’s show is abysmal. Have a word Mark will you?
The Chase fan on X
“It’s been a long time now that people have complained on here about bad shows.
“They’re going to stop watching if they’re not careful. Today’s show is abysmal. Have a word Mark will you? X”
He then tagged the quiz fan and directly replied: “A written complaint to the producers would be far more effective imo.”
One other viewer quizzed: “How do the producers know if they’re stronger players or not?”
Another suggested: “Or not give the Chasers the easier question.”
Mark, who has appeared on The Chase since its 2009 debut, then clarified how the show works – and the competitor line up.
He said: “There are three teams of four ready I believe, maybe an emergency sub as well.
“If you are summoned to studio you are playing.”
Things got even worse on the show, after Jade was eliminated leaving three left to play for the jackpot of just £3,000.
The trio only racked up 15 correct answers, with Shaun swiftly catching them with eight seconds to spare.
Despite getting the chance of three pushbacks the team were unable to capitalise – and lost out on the £3,000 prize pot.
After their loss, Shaun – known as The Dark Destroyer – bluntly told the competitors: “It is about The Chase and you have been caught.”
The Chase’s best moments
The Chase has been entertaining ITV viewers for years, here are some of the show’s most memorable moments…
Bradley Walsh can’t stop laughing
Every time host Bradley Walsh erupts into fits of laughter on The Chase it makes for pretty entertaining TV. One particularly memorable occasion was when he was asking the question ‘The title of which Elvis Presley song was engraved of the inside of Freddie Star’s coffin?” As usual the contestant was given four multiple choices but Bradley could get through reading them out before bursting into hysterics. Seeming the idea of the song being option ‘B: Way Down’ was too much for the presenter to handle.
The Double Trouble special
To celebrate 15 years of The Chase on screens, ITV launched a special ‘double trouble’ episode where contestants faced off against not one but two of the show’s beloved Chasers. And despite the odds, the contestants managed to go home with some cash!
The contestants with famous names
Eagle-eyed ITV fans are always quick to spot interesting and sometimes hidden details on the quiz show – but there have been a few times where the names of some contestants have been overtly obvious. For example, one 2017 episode of the quiz show saw Bradley welcome four contestants who were named after Friends characters Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey. Another group of contestants with named from The Simpsons were also grouped together in another episode, much to viewers’ amusement.
The Beast’s anger gets the best of him
During an episode from the 2024 season, Mark Labbett let out his inner beast as he exploded in a fit of anger. Close to losing the competition in the Final Chase, Mark then made a silly mistake and incorrectly answered the question, “Rabbit was a 1980 hit for which Cockney duo?” “Oh, you idiot!” he yelled at himself while slamming the table in front of him. With seconds left on the clock, the Chaser then admitted defeat, moaning “I don’t deserve to win.”
STRICTLY REVEAL
Mark’s comments came after he admitted he was barred from signing up for Strictly.
He revealed why during a recent episode of the beloved ITV quiz show.
He faced Annaka, from Newton Abbott, who brought in £2,000 from her cash builder.
Mark told the contestant: “Good afternoon, Annaka. Well, you quiz like I dance: it’s not pretty and it’s the reason I’m barred from Strictly.”
Speaking exclusively to The Sun last year, Mark revealed that he could logistically join the BBC show.
He told us: “We actually film The Chase at the same place, at the George Lucas in Elstree.
“I could do one show in the morning and then go straight on up and do the other in the evening.
“I would be very happy if my agent said, ‘Strictly would love to chat to you’.”
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Shaun took out the contestants with eight seconds remainingCredit: ITV
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Mark suggested a ‘stronger’ player should have come into the foldCredit: Rex
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It came after fans called out the ‘dull’ format of the long-running showCredit: ITV
