A former contestant on ITV's The Chase has disclosed that winners are advised not to share the prize fund with eliminated teammates. Steven Sneade, 69, from Liverpool, told the Daily Mail about the contractual obligations and guidance given by the show's producers.
According to Sneade, after a team wins, members must sign a contract accepting the money. He said: 'They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn’t win money just because you feel sorry for them. They can’t stop you, but I think they just don’t want you to have that in mind.' He added that while producers said payment could take three months, he received his within a week.
The Chase, hosted by Bradley Walsh, has been airing since 2009 and has produced over 2,500 episodes. The show features a team of four contestants answering general knowledge questions against one of six Chasers: Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan, Darragh Ennis, and Paul Sinha.
Walsh, who also hosts BBC's Gladiators, recently stated he has no plans to leave The Chase. He said: 'Until people say they've had enough and start switching off, I'll do it. It's the best job in the world.' He recalled the pilot episode in 2008, where he immediately sided with the contestants against the Chasers, a dynamic that helped define the show's tone.
The Chase has spawned international versions in over 20 countries, including Australia, the USA, Spain, and Germany, with some UK Chasers appearing in the Australian edition.
