Margaret Chrystall
Updated on: October 9, 2024 10:26 am GMT
The Chase Celebrates 15 Years with Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
The popular British quiz show, The Chase, has marked its 15th anniversary with a special episode that introduced a thrilling new format. Airing on September 8, 2024, this significant milestone was commemorated with “double trouble,” allowing two chasers to take on four contestants. Hosted by Bradley Walsh since its debut in June 2009, this beloved program has become a staple of British television, drawing in millions of viewers at dinnertime.
A Look Behind the Curtain
As The Chase reaches a decade and a half on the air, several contestants and crew members have shared eye-opening insights about what goes on behind the scenes. From scripted reactions to wardrobe choices, these revelations provide a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the show.
Scripted Reactions Reveal the Show’s Production Secrets
One of the first secrets to come to light is that not all contestant reactions are captured in a single take. A former contestant, posting on Reddit under the username @DJ_Black_Ted_Danson, described how they had to film multiple takes of their reactions due to poor camera angles or host errors. “When I inevitably got a question wrong, my stupid pouty face and ‘aw shucks’ response was quite possibly a result of 5 or 6 re-shoots,” they noted.
The Challenge of Staying Balanced
Another insider, Hannah Cowton, who participated in The Chase in 2019, revealed that contestants often struggle with the show’s physical setup. “Those stools were hard to balance on. I kept getting scared that I would topple off in excitement,” she commented. Hannah went on to share that before filming began, contestants were put through hair and makeup to ensure they didn’t appear washed out under the bright lights.
A Strict Dress Code and Early Mornings
Contestants must adhere to strict guidelines before appearing on the show. In a candid revelation, Marco Spiro, a contestant from 2015, highlighted that contestants had to arrive by 5:30 AM and were required to bring multiple outfit options. “They choose what you wear. You give them to their personal dresser, and they pick what you actually wear,” he explained.
The Element of Surprise for Contestants and Host
Rachel Warwick, who competed in October 2020, disclosed another fascinating aspect of the show’s production. Surprisingly, neither the contestants nor Bradley Walsh, the host, knows which Chaser will be appearing until the moment they step onto the set. “All the reactions are genuine. Even Bradley doesn’t know who your Chaser will be,” Rachel shared in a TikTok video.
The Long Journey to Contestant Status
For many contestants, getting on the show is a lengthy process. Will Chambers, a psychologist who appeared in 2016, revealed that he had applied four years earlier but had almost forgotten about it by the time he received a call inviting him to participate. “It was a bit of a shock because of the massive time gap,” he recounted.
The Importance of Team Bonding Before Filming
Chambers further described the camaraderie built among contestants before filming. “We had a good hour to eat and find out more about each other, which gives you that little bit of camaraderie before you go on,” he said. The actual filming of one episode takes approximately three hours, providing plenty of time for contestants to bond.
Question Writers Push the Limits of Decency
As contestants face off against their Chasers, the writers behind The Chase are busy crafting questions that often push the envelope in terms of innuendo and humor. Fraser Cameron, one of the show’s question compilers, admitted in an interview that deliberately humorous questions are incorporated into the game. “Bradley reads the multiple-choice questions for the first time on air, so his reaction is genuine shock,” he noted, adding that words like “plums” and “beaver” often find their way into the questions to elicit laughter from both contestants and viewers.
Unprecedented Wins and Continuing Popularity
just last week, The Chase made history with a contestant team earning a staggering jackpot of £100,000, the largest in the show’s history. With a variety of spin-off formats and a steady viewer base, the show remains one of Britain’s most beloved quiz programs. Currently, it airs up to 210 episodes per year, along with celebrity specials and beat-the-chaser episodes featuring all the Chasers at once.
As *The Chase* keeps entertaining people with its fun format and interesting content, it mixes trivia, strategy, and surprises. This makes sure that it will stay a popular show in British entertainment for a long time.
