Before they were Chasers: The early lives and careers of ITV's The Chase stars

Shaun Wallace on The Weakest Link in 2001
-Credit: (Image: BBC The Weakest Link/BBC/Screengrab)


It's been 15 years since The Chase first graced our screens on ITV, and it has since become a beloved fixture in many homes across the country. Presented by Bradley Walsh, The Chase pits a team of four strangers against one of the show's quiz experts - known as The Chasers - in a quest to win a cash prize.

Some of the most renowned quiz minds on television today have praised the show, and we all have our favourite Chaser. Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis have been fixtures on our TV screens for years now.

They also feature in the spinoff show Beat the Chasers on ITV. Before they became famous, several of them appeared on various popular quiz shows, as previously reported by My London.

In this article, we'll take a look at what each Chaser looked like before they were famous, as well as what life was like for them before their rise to fame. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a throwback photo of Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha - but that doesn't mean we love him any less.

Read on to find out more. The Chase is broadcast weekdays at 5pm on ITV1, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Mark Labbett.

Known on The Chase as 'The Beast', Mark has risen through the ranks to become one of the toughest chasers to beat, and viewers love watching him try to triumph over contestants. The 59 year old has been a part of The Chase since its inception in 2009, and he has also starred in the Australian and US versions of the show.

Mark Labbett, known as The Beast on The Chase, studied maths at the University of Oxford and obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). He used these qualifications to become a maths teacher and a PE supply teacher.

His passion for quizzes was ignited during his time working at Butlins holiday camp, where he supplemented his income with winnings from quiz machines.

The Chase's Mark 'The Beast' Labbett is almost unrecognisable on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
The Chase's Mark 'The Beast' Labbett is almost unrecognisable on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire -Credit:Who Wants to Be a Millionaire/ITV/Screengrab

Given his remarkable general knowledge, it's no shock that Mark has been a contestant on some of UK television's most esteemed shows including Egghead, Mastermind, and University Challenge. He also came second on The People's Quiz and Brain of Britain.

In 2006, Mark appeared on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, walking away with £32,000 after incorrectly answering his £64,000 question.

Shaun Wallace

Shaun Wallace, nicknamed The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, is renowned for intimidating players during a 'one-question shoot-out' and takes pleasure in dominating over the show's contestants. When he's not quizzing, the 64 year old practises as a barrister and juggles his legal responsibilities with filming the popular series.

Shaun joined the cast of The Chase when it launched in 2009, but this wasn't his first time on TV. Given his high IQ, it's unsurprising that Shaun has tested his luck on other popular TV shows before finding fame on The Chase.

Let's cast our minds back to 2001, when Shaun Wallace faced the formidable Anne Robinson on the BBC's The Weakest Link. Competing against eight others for a significant cash prize, the aim was to avoid being the 'weakest link' by correctly answering general knowledge questions.

Shaun reached the final five but was then ironically deemed the weakest link, despite being the strongest contestant in the previous round resulting in his swift departure without the winnings. Since then, Shaun has become known as the "Dark Destroyer" on The Chase from 2009 and even joined the Australian version of the show in 2018.

Anne Hegerty.

Earning the moniker The Governess, Anne Hegerty became one of the recognisable faces on The Chase shortly after its inception in 2009, officially joining in 2010, following the first series.

Prior to charming viewers on The Chase, Anne pursued a career in journalism, contributing as a reporter and feature writer at the South Wales Argus before relocating to Manchester, where she took on roles including that of a ghost writer.

Not one to shy away from competitive quiz environments, "The Governess" has graced various other renowned TV quiz shows pre-The Chase. Her repertoire includes Mastermind, Fifteen to One, Today's the Day, Are you an Egghead?, and Brain of Britain, among others.

The Chase star Anne Hegerty on BBC's Mastermind in 1987
The Chase star Anne Hegerty on BBC's Mastermind in 1987 -Credit:BBC Mastermind/BBC/Screengrab

Anne Hegerty first showcased her quiz prowess on 'Mastermind' back in 1987 where her chosen subject was 'The Life and Works of Lorenz Hart,' famous for his lyrics. Anne didn't stop there she lent her brainpower as a "phone a friend" during 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' in 2010, aiding Lisa Harman to scoop £75,000.

Darragh Ennis.

Prior to becoming an intimidating presence as a Chaser on The Chase, Darragh Ennis tried his luck as a contestant on the show in 2017. The Oxford University researcher now known for his moniker The Menace put up an impressive showing, banking a cool £9k although his teammates opted for lower offers, costing them £2,700.

Despite their loss in the final chase, Darragh's performance caught the eye, leading to him joining the team of Chasers three years later in 2020.

Darragh Ennis on The Chase
Darragh Ennis on The Chase -Credit:The Chase/ITV/Screengrab

Since joining The Chase, Darragh has tested contestants on 'Beat the Chasers,' and off-screen, he's been spotted enjoying time with Liverpool FC supporters in a local pub in Liverpool.

Jenny Ryan.

Jenny Ryan, aka The Vixen, joined the ranks of The Chase's Chasers in 2015, but her quizzing journey began much earlier. Jenny represented the University of Leeds on 'University Challenge,' reaching the semi-finals in 2003.

From there, she went on to try her hand at various quiz shows such as BBC's 'Mastermind' in 2006, focusing on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' and participating in 'Only Connect,' 'Are You an Egghead?', 'Fifteen to One,' and 'The Weakest Link '.

In addition to her television fame, Jenny Ryan is also popular on social media. She frequently posts pictures on Instagram, providing fans with a glimpse into her life off-screen.

Chaser, Jenny The Vixen Ryan
Chaser, Jenny The Vixen Ryan -Credit:ITV

In 2021, Jenny shared photos from her first day at primary school on Instagram, in honour of children returning to school after the summer break. The two charming snaps show a very different Jenny from the one we recognise today from her TV role.