Bradley Walsh pulled a contestant to one side during Monday's episode of The Chase after the player made a "cheeky" remark about a poem recited by Chaser Shaun Wallace.
The ITV gameshow returned to screens on September 29 with four new quizzers: Mark, Cat, Elliot and Doyin. The quartet faced Shaun Wallace, known as The Dark Destroyer, in the latest instalment.
Poetry exchange takes unexpected turn
Elliot, who lives in Manchester and described himself as an avid poetry fan who writes poems, came up against Shaun in his round. Shaun responded by reciting a poem of his own: "Hello, Elliot. The Tutor. It's your party, but I'm a pooper. So get on your bike, or a scooter. It's outside, beeping its hooter."
Elliot replied: "It's actually not that bad." Bradley was less impressed, quipping: "Oh my goodness." Elliot defended the poem, saying: "The rhyme was good, the syllables were there, like, pure form-wise, like, the way it's structured, like, genuinely actually pretty good!"
Host warns contestant not to encourage Chaser
Bradley then took Elliot aside, where Elliot insisted: "I'm sorry though it is." The host told him: "Don't encourage him. Just say, 'Well done, good effort, and let's move on otherwise we'll be all night.'"
Returning to the machine, Elliot told Shaun: "Well done, good effort, and let's move on." Shaun responded by saying that for Elliot's "cheeky remark," he would make a low offer of £1,000.
Elliot was ultimately caught by Shaun, leaving Mark as the only player to reach the final chase, playing for £4,000. Mark scored 15 in the final round, but Shaun caught him with 21 seconds remaining.
Bradley told Mark: "Mark hope you've enjoyed it!" Mark said: "Fair play Shaun," as Bradley added: "Brilliant effort on your own!" Shaun agreed, declaring: "That was superb mate," before clapping his hands.
The Chase airs Monday to Friday at 5pm on ITV1.
