The Chase: 10 things you never knew about The Chasers
The Chasers have been the villains of daytime TV for years, but before they adopted their alter egos as the ruthless quiz masters they all lived interesting lives.
Here are 10 things you never knew about The Chasers:
The Beast married his Second cousin
Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett, at the time 49, married Katie Labbett, at the time 22, in 2014. Their fathers are reportedly first cousins.
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After proposing in Dubai, The Beast — so-called because his surname Labbett sounds like 'la bête’, or ‘the beast’ in French — married Katie at the Hilton Avisford Park in West Sussex.
The Sinnerman is a stand-up comic
When he’s not trying to stop folks from winning cash prizes, Supriya Kumar 'Paul’ Sinha, or 'The Sinnerman’ (or the less complimentary 'Sarcasm In A Suit), is a jobbing stand-up comedian.
He was the runner-up in the final of the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and has performed a raft of solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival over the years.
The Governess was crowned 'Brain of Bolton'
In fact, Anne Hegerty, or The Governess, has been crowned Brain of Bolton three times, after winning the Bolton Premier Quiz League.
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In 2014, she was also ranked number 40 (the second highest woman) in the World Quizzing Championships.
The Vixen plays the ukulele
Jenny Ryan, or The Vixen (or The Bolton Brainiac), plays the ukulele in a band.
“We do covers of pop and rock songs and some new age and punk stuff and it's really good fun. It’s a good outlet!” she says.
The Menace won The Chase
Before becoming The Menace, Darragh Ennis won The Chase in 2017 when he almost singlehandedly carried his team to victory.
After showing clear skill in the early rounds all of his teammates took money-losing offers from the Chaser to ensure they got to the final round, meaning the £9,000 Ennis won was reduced to £6,300 in the final round.
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His debut in 2020 drew in 4.9 million viewers, the most viewed episode of The Chase ever.
The Dark Destroyer stood as an MP
Former barrister Shaun Wallace, aka The Dark Destroyer/The Legal Eagle, stood in the 2005 election as an independent parliamentary candidate for the Brent South constituency.
The Sinnerman used to be a GP
He trained at St George’s Hospital Medical School in Tooting, South London, and is a fully qualified general practitioner.
The Dark Destroyer won Mastermind
The barrister-by-day won the 2004 series of Mastermind. His specialist subject in the final was, appropriately, FA Cup Finals.
He’s an avid Chelsea supporter.
The Beast has false teeth
Due to a chocolate habit of up to 10 bars a day, he had to have his whole top set of teeth replaced with false ones.
After appearing on the ITV show 'Sugar-Free Farm’, he’s now cut down his sugar consumption significantly.
The Governess also has a panto career
Thanks to her frosty demeanour, Anne Hegerty has been forging a solid career in panto.
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So far she’s been the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella at the Grange Theatre in Northwich, playing Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port, and the Enchantress alongside Basil Brush and Keith Chegwin at the Palace Theatre In Redditch.
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