Jane beats the Chasers and scoops £10,000

A DERBYSHIRE woman scooped £10,000 after becoming a winner on last night’s “Beat The Chasers” show on ITV.

Jane Russell saw the New Year in style after coming out on top against some of the country’s brainiest quizzers.

“Beat The Chasers” is a spin-off to the ITV daytime show The Chase.

Unlike the daytime show where just one “chaser” is featured, lucky contestants can get the option of facing between two and five chasers – the more there are, the more money they can win.

Last night’s programme, which aired at 9pm, saw the retired housewife win the prize after flirting with host Bradley Walsh as soon as she entered the studio.

After being introduced, she immediately remarked to Bradley: “Your so gorgeous, I’ve always wanted to meet you, Brad – and that’s why I’m here. I don’t care about winning any money, it’s just to meet you.”

But Jane soon impressed Bradley with her general knowledge as she beat the normally formidable Chasers to win £10,000.

Jane said: “I was so nervous when the questions came thick and fast. At first I couldn’t think of the answers to the easier questions until I settled down.

“After that I just concentrated on Bradley and it all seemed a blur until the end. I didn’t think I had won as I was in some sort of trance until I heard the crew cheering. When it sank in I was so excited, I was ecstatic but it took a few days for me to really believe it.

“I watch The Chase every night on the TV Bradley Walsh as it’s my favourite programme. It was my ambition to beat them one day as for me this would be a great personal achievement.

“It’s not about the money for me but about beating the most celebrated, brainiest quizzers. ‘Beat The Chasers’ is even better than ‘The Chase’.”

■Beat The Chasers is on ITV 1 from 9pm all this week (except Saturday).