The Chase’s Anne Hegerty shares relationship bombshell and I’m A Celeb wedding snub
Anne Hegerty has been a firm favourite on The Chase since 2010
(Image: ITV)
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Anne Hegerty is a force to be reckoned with. A quiz master on The Chase since 2010 and a memorable participant in the 2018 jungle, the 67 year old, who was diagnosed with autism in her mid-40s, is unapologetically herself.
The sharp-witted and refreshingly candid TV personality shares with OK! magazine why she has no interest in romance, her issue with former jungle campmate Nick Knowles, and the big dream she’s yet to achieve….
I’m taking a bit of a break from work. We wrapped up filming the current series of The Chase in early April and we have plenty of episodes ready to go.
I’m not sure how long my break will be. It all depends on when we can secure the studio and when Bradley Walsh is available, as he is undoubtedly the busiest man in showbiz.
And it’s lovely because we all get along well off-camera. It wouldn’t really work if we didn’t.
Will you be taking it easy then?
Officially, I reside in Manchester and I’m looking forward to returning there. There’s a three-day quiz weekend happening which I plan to attend.
Despite my day job involving quizzes, I feel the need to keep participating in them. Just last night, I was at a charity quiz and even logged my mileage, thinking of it as a training session that could be tax deductible!
Soon, I’ll be heading to Scarborough for a photoshoot as I’m set to appear in a panto there this Christmas. I’ll be playing Fairy Rose in Beauty And The Beast. Although I don’t quite feel like a Fairy Rose yet, I have ample time to get into character.
When asked about people’s biggest misconception of me, it’s definitely that I know everything about everything. You wouldn’t believe how much I don’t know.
At the charity quiz last night, I was auctioned off to the highest bidder in each round to raise money for the Paul Strank charity. When a team bought me for the sports’ round, I felt like apologising in advance as I know nothing about sport.
Are you comfortable in your own company?
Absolutely. Even at glitzy events, if it gets too noisy, I need to take some time out to relax on my own.
I know many people who are the same. I often get invited to things and find myself wondering, “Are you lonely?” It seems so many people have loads of friends and constantly need them around.
Would you like someone special to share your life with?
No, I really wouldn’t. I used to, but I realised I was wanting to want it rather than genuinely wanting a romantic relationship.
I don’t even want pets. I’ve got pot plants and I mind when they die, but no, I’m very happy in my own company. I’m just fine.
Do you keep in touch with your old I’m A Celebrity campmates?
We’ve still got our WhatsApp group. It’s not very active, but I did post on there recently. I saw in the papers that Nick Knowles had got married. I didn’t get an invite, but I’m not bitter – much!
I posted my congrats on the group and everyone else did the same. If I meet any of them out and about, it’s always big catch-ups and hugs.
Did you watch the last series of I’m A Celebrity?
I watched bits of it. It’s too stressful to watch much of it. The things that are upsetting about it aren’t what you’d imagine. I found I was stressed, and little details got to me.
Like, I didn’t have a flat surface to put things on. How do I change my contact lenses? You’re only allowed three pairs of knickers, so you feel like you’re constantly washing knickers – and it’s very hard to get them dry.
Nick was amazing – he invented his own drying rack.
Strictly is coming up. Would you ever….
Absolutely not! My agent attempted to persuade me to participate years ago, but I couldn’t even manage to articulate the words, “I think this is a bloody terrible idea.”
I’m hopeless at dancing. During pantomimes, you might coax me into singing a little, but whatever happens, don’t ask me to dance.
Have everyone else dance whilst I stand in the centre, like a maypole.
Are there any burning ambitions you still harbour?
I’d be thrilled to try some acting. I’d relish the opportunity to tackle a comedic part. I genuinely enjoy making people laugh. I recently shot a brief appearance in an extremely low-budget horror film.
I mean, it’s so low-budget that I’ve been offered a percentage of the profits. It’s titled Deadcast, focusing on two chaps who host a podcast about paranormal phenomena.
They venture to Lincolnshire to interview individuals who’ve encountered eerie experiences, only to discover they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.
What character do you portray?
I portray a woman who witnessed a UFO, shared it online and faced severe trolling, ultimately becoming a hermit. There’s a sequence where they interview me in my garden whilst I’m demonstrating where I spotted the UFO.
I declare, “They’ve been with me my whole life. It doesn’t matter where I go, they follow me.”
And precisely at that moment, an ice cream van drives past playing Teddy Bears’ Picnic. It was thoroughly enjoyable.