The Chase star Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett has defended Bradley Walsh after viewers claimed the ITV show ‘stole money’ from two finalists after a correct answer was refused.
Last night’s episode of the quiz show saw Marsha from Lincoln and Ian from Wigan take on Mark to win £45,000 after teammates Laura and Najam were eliminated.
After setting a score of 18 in the final chase, the duo had the chance to push back on an incorrect answer given by Mark when asked: ‘In the Bible, King David saw which beautiful woman bathing?’
However, despite Ian providing the correct answer ‘Bathsheba’, host Bradley ruled that Marsha’s simultaneous ‘Helen’ was the first answer they gave.
Explaining his decision, he told the contestants: ‘Bathsheba is correct, however, Marsha without nomination looked at me and called the answer first which was Helen. I have to accept the first answer, so I have to tell you that was wrong.’
Following the controversial answer, Mark ended up defeating the contestants with one second remaining, sending fans into a fury on social media.
Writing on X, @amesharve claimed that Marsha and Ian ‘were played like a fiddle on that final Chase’, calling it ‘utter crap’.
Chris also declared that ‘those two contestants in the final Chase have just been royally screwed over’.
@Orpingtondad similarly said: ‘That was absolute daylight robbery. They’ve stolen the money off of those poor contestants.’
Meanwhile, John called it an ‘absolute disgrace’, arguing that ‘her slip up on the question looked like they were still discussing it’.
Echoing the other viewer’s arguments, @ItsOnlyRash said: ‘What an annoying but cruel way to go. That will keep them up at night. £22.5K each gone with a second to spare.’
Yvonne summed it up by writing: ‘Brad should have taken Ian’s answer as he was the nominated player to give their answers to push backs. Or at least asked them which answer they wanted to offer.’
Some viewers have even called for a consolation prize after the harsh ruling.
Since then, however, Mark has responded to the allegation that Bradley was ‘making rules up on the spot’, writing on X: ‘I can guarantee that the adjudicator made that call rather than Brad.’
The same fan responded back, saying: ‘I expect they did Mark. But our Brad is the face of the programme, and he was let down.’
Metro has contacted ITV for comment.
The Chase is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
