A BEATING OF MINDS AROUND THE WORLD
Quiz show favourites, the Chasers, have landed their own TV show. finds out more
OFTEN, when a TV show becomes a hit, its success leads to celebrity versions and spin-offs. Then, if a programme is really popular, some of the previously unknown participants branch off to do other things.
Take Anne Hegerty, Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace – not only are they three of the biggest brains of the quizzing universe and formidable geniuses on The Chase, they are now TV stars in their own right.
‘The Governess’ Anne participated in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and presented Britain’s Brightest Family, while ‘The Beast’ Mark took part in Sugar Free Farm and appeared on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, and the ‘Dark Destroyer’ Shaun was seen on Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow and Don’t Rock The Boat.
Now, the trio have landed their own spin-off which sees them jet-off to America and Japan, and travel around the UK to test their brains like never before.
Over three weeks, they come up against some unusual opponents, and will hopefully arrive home with some new insights into the workings of the human mind.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience,” says Shaun.
“It was amazing to just see three completely contrasting places to look at different forms of intelligence.”
Mark agrees that the trip was a real eye-opener. He says: “In a studio, to a certain extent it’s just a job, whereas with this you didn’t know where you were going to be, what time you started, what time you finished or more importantly what you were going to have for food that evening.”
And finally, Anne also found the experience enjoyable and educational, adding: “I’ve never done an actual documentary series before, so it was a learning curve, and we learnt a lot of very interesting stuff.”
Last week we saw the Chasers journey to the US to pit their wits against a Bonobo ape, a chimpanzee memory wizard, a gamer orangutan and a dolphin.
And tonight, the Chasers journey back to the UK and go head-to-head with child geniuses in order to weigh up to what degree intelligence is innate or can be developed.
Despite being ultra competitive on The Chase, Shaun didn’t mind the fact he met his match in some of the kids.
He says: “I suppose I liked the fact that I was trounced by a child prodigy and I managed to get one question right, so that was a funny moment. I cheered like
I’d won the FA cup final.
“I started enjoying the experience and was not embarrassed in any way, shape or form.”
While some of the UK’s brightest kids impress Anne, Mark and Shaun, they were shocked to learn that they themselves have something surprising in common, which could unlock the mystery to the trio’s amazing memories.
Next week, the trio are in Japan, then after that, it’s back to their day job.
Although this series looks to be a resounding success, The Governess has said she doesn’t plan on quitting The Chase anytime soon, admitting: “Not unless I get fired or they cancel it!”
See, even the cleverest people in the world appreciate which side their bread is buttered.
The Chasers Road Trip: Trains, Brains and Automobiles is on Thursday, ITV, 9pm