Fans of the popular ITV quiz show The Chase erupted in anger on Tuesday night, with many declaring they had "had enough" of the programme after a contestant's controversial decision left them fuming at their television screens. The episode featured a team of four hopefuls – Shane, Rosie, Sarah, and Peter – facing off against the formidable Chaser Jenny Ryan, also known as The Vixen.
A Tactical Move That Backfired Spectacularly
The source of the uproar was researcher scientist Shane, who was the final contestant to attempt to secure a place in the Final Chase. After building a modest £3,000 in his cash-builder round, Shane was presented with two offers from The Vixen: a high-risk £67,000 or a low-risk -£2,000. Despite encouragement from teammates Rosie and Sarah to stick with his £3,000, Shane opted for the negative offer, a decision that would prove deeply unpopular with the viewing public.
Explaining his rationale, Shane stated, "£3,000 seems good, I was thinking about that, but I might take the -£2,000 to be back with the team for the final chase. It's all about the end game here." This tactical choice, intended to prioritise team unity over individual gain, was met with immediate and fierce criticism from the show's dedicated audience.
Social Media Erupts in Fury
Viewers swiftly took to X, formerly Twitter, to vent their frustration, with many labelling the move "absolutely disgraceful" and threatening to stop watching the show altogether. The backlash was intense and widespread.
One incensed fan wrote: "I have absolutely had enough of this show! Seat 4 has taken MINUS £2K For only £2K EACH!! This is an absolute disgrace! My eyes are bleeding! ITV are going to lose viewers if this is the kind of nonsense they are producing! The Chase? More like The Stupid! #TheChase."
The sentiment was echoed by others who questioned the very premise of the programme. "What is the point of this show anymore as the money is crap," posted another viewer, while a third criticised team dynamics, suggesting, "I think the team dynamics needs to be checked in green room as a lot of teams seem negative #thechase."
The criticism became personal for Shane, with one social media user quipping, "Is his name Shane or Shame?" Another simply declared, "#Hope the team loses tonight! This is a disgrace! #TheChase." The collective outrage highlighted a growing frustration among some fans with perceived poor gameplay and low-stakes decisions.
Fresh in the Memory: A Previous Blunder
This incident follows closely on the heels of another moment that left The Chase viewers aghast just days earlier. During an episode featuring Chaser Anne Hegerty, The Governess, contestant Gail was eliminated in a spectacularly unfortunate manner. After securing £3,000 in her cash-builder, Gail faced a crucial head-to-head question against Anne.
Host Bradley Walsh asked, "Which of these was the name of a 1960s American folk-rock band?" with the options being The Lovin' Spoonful, The Dancin' Plateful, or The Helpin' Cupful. Despite knowing the correct answer was The Lovin' Spoonful, Gail failed to press her buzzer in time, resulting in her instant elimination.
Anne Hegerty herself expressed discomfort at winning in such a manner, awkwardly telling Bradley Walsh, "Not especially, no. That's unfortunate." Viewers were equally unimpressed, flooding social media with comments like "That's a whole new level of OH FOR F**K SAKE!" and branding Gail a "useless contestant" for her failure to act.
The Enduring Appeal of a Quiz Show Giant
Despite these occasional flashpoints of viewer fury, The Chase remains a staple of British daytime television. Having first aired in 2009, the show has produced over 2,500 episodes across 18 series, demonstrating its lasting popularity. It continues to air weekdays on ITV1 at 5pm and is available for streaming on ITVX.
However, the strong reactions to Shane's low offer and Gail's buzzer blunder underscore the passionate and sometimes volatile relationship between the show and its audience. For many fans, the drama is not just in beating the Chaser, but in the high-stakes decisions and nerve-wracking moments that unfold before the Final Chase even begins.
