The Chase Cast Salaries: From Footballer-Level Pay to Per-Episode Fees
The Chase has been a staple of afternoon television for over a decade, and its chasers reportedly earn substantial sums for their appearances. Hosted by Bradley Walsh, the show pits contestants against quizzing legends Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan, and Darragh Ennis. While contestants vie for cash prizes, the chasers themselves command impressive fees.
Mark Labbett Earns Like a Premier League Footballer
In 2023, Mark Labbett, known as The Beast, revealed that he and his co-stars can earn more from the spin-off Beat The Chasers than from the regular show. Speaking at the National Reality TV Awards, he told the Daily Star: "That's the week we earn like Premier League footballers, so of course I'll do it. If I could get away with it, I'd purge half of them because the fewer Chasers there are, the more money I get." Labbett indicated that the spin-off offers additional earnings on top of their per-episode fees for The Chase.
Bradley Walsh's Reported £4 Million Salary
Bradley Walsh, the show's host, reportedly earns a hefty sum. The Daily Mail claimed in 2024 that Walsh receives £25,000 per week for his television work, including The Chase and BBC's Gladiators. In 2025, it was reported that he secured a salary increase from ITV to £4 million, up from a previous £3.5 million. This made him the network's highest-paid male host after Ant and Dec, with a reported £500,000 bump for The Chase alone.
Anne Hegerty on Per-Episode Pay
Anne Hegerty, The Governess, explained in 2025 that chasers do not receive a steady salary but are paid per show. Speaking on Lewis Nicholls' YouTube channel, she said: "We are paid per show, so we're not on a salary. It's not as if they're going to up the budget and add a new salary; a new chaser would just mean the same number of shows shared between more people - so less money for everyone." She noted that both chasers and Bradley receive a flat fee per episode, and that Bradley's high demand for other projects affects the show's dynamics.
Shaun Wallace's Seven-Figure Earnings
Shaun Wallace, The Dark Destroyer, disclosed in 2024 that his earnings have soared since his days as a barrister. In an interview with The Times, he quipped: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?" He confirmed earning "well into six-zero territory" and noted that his TV income is about ten times his previous legal earnings. Wallace still practices law, with 70% of his income from TV and 30% from legal work, a shift that began after winning Mastermind in 2004.
The Chase airs Monday to Friday at 5pm on ITV1.
