a new stuff research has just revealed who is the best chaser in the beloved British quiz show The Chase – but it’s not just the competition that draws hundreds of thousands of Kiwi viewers.
Our project analyzed data from the nearly 1,800 episodes of The Chase that have aired to reveal how often the Chasers win, which Chasers win most often — and who contestants might have a chance against.
However, who actually wins is often secondary to what happens on set as each episode unfolds.
From cash builder chaos to Bradley breakdowns, these are the moments that have made The Chase so iconic.
Fanny Chmelar
ITV Youtube
Bradley Walsh can’t hold it together for a question about Fanny Chmelar.
Ask anyone who’s watched The Chase what their favorite moment ever is, and you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t mention host Bradley Walsh’s full-blown breakdown during a question about former German alpine skier Fanny Chmelar.
In fact, if you type Fanny Chmelar into Google, the top videos all show Bradley’s smiling face instead of one of the winter Olympian’s descents.
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* The Chase: ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Shaun Wallace defends nickname after drop title in New Zealand, Australia
* The Chase: Tricksters Stumble Over Bradley Walsh
In 2011, a contestant was asked what sport Fanny Chmelar was famous for.
The pronunciation of the German athlete’s name dominated the episode, with host Bradley Walsh descending in uncontrollable giggles as the governess watched.
Six years later, in 2017, Walsh was on an ITV daytime show in the UK when he apologized to Chmelar, saying: “I’d like to meet her just to apologise.” Despite being approached by the program’s staff, Chmelar said she was not interested.
When the governess lost almost $195k
Delivered
Anne Hegerty as the governess in The Chase – she looks tough, but she does lose – and every now and then she loses a lot.
There have been many big wins on The Chase.
After all, it’s a game show that’s about the thrill of chasing and beating the Chaser.
One of the biggest team episodes (excluding the Celebrity Chase where the money is always higher because it’s for charity) saw Gayna, Tim, Luca and Diane compete for £100,000 (NZ$194,872) in September 2018.
stuff Analysis showed that this was one of only two occasions where a prize of this magnitude was won (the prize money was just £1000, or about NZ$2000).
In a nerve-wracking final, the governess stumbled severely, failing to hit the team goal of 22, with only 14 correct.
It’s more than likely that this isn’t an episode that The Governess watched back to watch her performance.
The Beast storms away after loss
ITV Youtube
As Mark Labbett stormed away, the wall took the brunt of his anger.
It was 3 years into the life of the show in December 2016 when we first saw how seriously the Chasers take their position in the quiz seat.
When Michael, Trish and Terry managed to win £60,000 from the Beast, Bradley congratulated the team before turning to Mark Labbett to get his thoughts.
“Well played, boys,” Beastie Boy said, before rising from the chair and slamming into the wall as he stormed off.
Bradley lost his words for a moment before he came to and said, “Ouch. It just shows you—how they take it.”
When a 20-year-old scored the biggest single win
Youtube
The Chase had its biggest solo payout ever when lone contestant Eden defeated the Chaser.
In September 2021, contestant Eden achieved the biggest ever win in a daytime TV show by a soloist in the UK with his prize of £75,000 (NZ$146,175).
The 20-year-old took on Chaser Darragh Ennis as the last player standing and won in the final chase, with Ennis losing by three.
After Eden’s victory, Host Walsh couldn’t contain his joy by collapsing the contestant’s desk and hugging a stunned Eden.
“I can not believe it! This is unbelievable, he’s 20 years old and just won £75,000,” Walsh said.
“It’s the highest daytime win in history.”
Bradley Walsh loses it in the cashbuilder
In 2017, a seemingly innocuous question caused host Bradley Walsh to lose it completely at a contestant’s cash-builder round.
When he had to ask the question, “In the rhyme Little Jack Horner, what number did Jack lit his pipe?” Walsh couldn’t contain his immaturity and the game had to be stopped as he composed himself.
However, Walsh still failed to ask the question, prompting one of the other participants to ask if they should help him.
The Dark Destroyer Can’t Even Say Hello
ITV Youtube
Shaun Wallace couldn’t keep his face straight after trying to say hello to a contestant.
Of all the chasers, you would expect a lawyer to be the one who can hold it together.
After all, they have to appear in court.
But in 2016, just saying hello to a contestant proved Shaun Wallace’s downfall.
As out-take after out-take turned out, it became increasingly difficult for Wallace to greet and comment on the contestant.
It didn’t get any easier with Bradley Walsh getting the giggles too, and the pair lost it.
Is there a moment in The Chase that stands out to you? Tell us in the comments!
The Chase is a television phenomenon in Aotearoa – but who’s the best Chaser? A special data project by stuff has cracked the numbers: visit our full interactive project.