Fans of ITV's popular quiz show The Chase have erupted in anger, demanding a significant revamp after a recent episode was widely branded a disgrace. The programme, hosted by Bradley Walsh, saw a complete team wipe-out during the head-to-head rounds, leaving viewers frustrated and questioning the show's future.
Team Collapse and the Lazarus Rule
In the episode aired on Friday, February 13, 2026, four contestants—Mark, Tan, Miriam, and Jon—faced off against chaser Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan. The team's performance quickly unravelled as Mark accumulated £6,000 in the Cash Builder before being caught, followed by Tan with £7,000 and Miriam with £5,000 meeting the same fate. The situation worsened when the final contestant, Jon, opted for a high-risk strategy, taking the £80,000 offer only to be caught as well.
This resulted in all four contestants being eliminated before the Final Chase, triggering the show's 'Lazarus' rule. According to the programme's format, when this occurs, one player is selected to return as a solo contestant for a reduced consolation prize of £1,000 per person, totalling £4,000. Jon was chosen to represent the team, standing alone in the spot typically used for the Cash Builder.
Viewer Backlash and Online Fury
Fans flocked to social media platform X to express their dismay, with one viewer writing, 'What is this episode? #TheChase.' Another fumed, 'What an embarrassment of an episode #TheChase THIS IS A DISGRACE.' A third added, 'I'm putting it out there, this week has been a collaborative effort by contestants and chasers to result in the most idiotic performance all round. #TheChase.'
In the Final Chase, Jon answered 15 questions correctly in an attempt to outrun Jenny Ryan, but despite his respectable effort, she caught him with 15 seconds to spare, sending all players home empty-handed. This flat ending further fuelled viewer frustration, with many feeling the episode lacked suspense and tension.
Calls for a Show Overhaul
The backlash has led to growing calls for The Chase to undergo a refresh. One fan wrote, 'Far too many dull boring episodes. It seriously needs a break or a revamp!' Others were more blunt about the show's prospects, with a viewer declaring, 'Yep, it's over, this whole team has lost, show's over, thank you and good night.'
While complete team wipe-outs are not unheard of on The Chase, occurring on rare occasions and activating the Lazarus rule, viewers have increasingly voiced dissatisfaction. Many argue that such outcomes drain the episode of excitement, leaving little suspense and almost certain defeat, which undermines the show's long-standing appeal.
The Chase continues to air weekdays on ITV at 5pm, but this incident highlights mounting pressure for producers to consider format changes to reinvigorate the programme and address fan concerns over repetitive or lacklustre episodes.
