The Chase host Bradley Walsh has said "if I can help one family and save one life then I've done my job," after presenting a TV programme that exposed the tactics used by the gambling industry.
Walsh fronted Channel 4's Million Pound Shot at the weekend, a show in which three contestants appeared in front of a live studio audience for the chance to win up to £1 million. The contestants bet their own money, depending on how confident they were, in answering general knowledge questions. Correct answers won bet balls that carried monetary value, which players could either cash out or risk by firing them into the Million Pound Shot machine in an attempt to win £1 million.
A staged performance revealed
During the episode, one contestant named Reece found himself £6,000 down, and an angry audience member was heard shouting: "The concept of this is disgusting." The footage then cut out, before Walsh returned to the studio to explain: "What you've just witnessed wasn't all that it seemed. The whole thing was a performance... Everything you've seen tonight draws on the techniques used by the gambling industry to manipulate its customers."
The character of Reece was inspired by a real man called Patrick, who later shared his story. Walsh issued a warning to viewers, saying: "I should warn you that what we're about to explore may be difficult and upsetting for some viewers. Because, like any addiction, gambling can cause serious harm."
Keeping the secret under wraps
On Monday, November 2, Walsh appeared on BBC's The One Show to talk about the programme, which divided viewers at home. He explained that it took about a year to set up the show and that everything was kept under wraps as people were invited to be a part of the audience like in many other typical game shows.
"It was pretty tricky," he admitted to hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp on keeping it under the radar. "The studio audience completely bought into it. In fact when the actor gets up to heckle, and say 'listen this is is own money you're gambling he's losing a lot of money now' he's obviously very distraught. People in the audience were going 'sit down, sit down, it's all fine, it's all good,' so they completely bought into it which is quite extraordinary."
Highlighting the dangers of gambling
Walsh admitted that the reason he wanted to be a part of it was to highlight the real dangers of gambling, pointing out it could lead to "a lot of tragedy". He continued: "That was my feeling as well and why I wanted to be a part of it because if you can highlight it like this and some of the tricks and things that the gambling companies do to lure you in and keep you playing, if I can help one family and save one life then I've done my job."
The One Show is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Bradley Walsh's Million Pound Shot is available to stream on Channel 4.
