ITV viewers have branded the new spin-off game show The Chase Around the World as "dull" minutes into its debut episode. The show, hosted by Bradley Walsh, blends elements of the ITV quiz programme with the BBC's Race Across The World.
Format and Complaints
The hour-long special follows six pairs of contestants as they navigate through Barcelona before sprinting towards the finishing line. Teams must demonstrate precision through a series of brain-teasers and queries to advance through each checkpoint. The winning duo faces Chasers Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan and Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis at the conclusion.
However, mere minutes into the broadcast, viewers pleaded with ITV executives to ensure this would be the last spin-off of the daytime quiz programme. One X user wrote: "Never seen a TV show milked to death like The Chase... 'How can we do the show but also get paid to travel around the world with it? I've got an idea!'" Another concurred: "This is so dull. They should've just made a new series of Beat the Chasers."
Mixed Reactions
A third contributed: "I've given The Chase Around the World an episode and a bit out of loyalty to The Chase, but it's just not doing it for me." A fourth mirrored: "This is actually quite boring. Far too slow. I'm only sticking with it to see Barcelona!" Someone else remarked: "Jeez, what a lot of codswallop", as another asked: "What idiot came up with this idea?"
Not everyone hated the show. One viewer tweeted: "Kinda got destination X vibes", while a second said: "I just finished watching, and obviously lots will be starting, so I won't spoil it. It was different, fun and still nail-biting! Really enjoyed that!"
Host's Comments
Bradley Walsh had previously praised the spin-off: "I would describe it as The Chase... but around the world! It's out and about. It was very different doing it on location, in these incredible places, instead of being in a studio. I've been locked in Elstree Studios for 17 years!" He added: "The competition really heated up; you could see the contestants thinking, 'Right, this is what we've got to do. This is how to play this game'. There were times when some were over-taking others, some were slipping back."
The series will take viewers from Rome to Barcelona, Lisbon to Paris, Zurich in the Alps and finally to Athens. The Chase Around the World continues Thursday at 9pm on ITVX.
