THE Chase contestants have lifted the lid on some behind-the-secrets on the ITV game show.
There is a lot that fans don’t know – from what contestants are allowed to wear, to how long it takes to film, and how the players receive their cash winnings.
The Chase contestants have lifted the lid on some of the show’s best kept secrets
Former contestants spill the beans on what The Chasers are like behind-the-scenes
Phone interviews
In 2020, Joanna Tweedale impressed Bradley when she managed to answer six questions correctly in the cash builder round.
The Wiltshire-based contestant revealed that she applied 18 months before appearing on the show, after an initial phone interview.
Joanna, 51, explained that she was on the show while Covid precautions were still in place – meaning each player was put in a separate green room and had to watch videos on what to do.
How to say your name properly
Speaking to the Wiltshire Times, Joanna also revealed that they teach you how to say your name properly prior to appearing on the show.
Signed copies of Bradley’s CD
Sadly Joanna was caught by The Chaser, but she didn’t go home empty handed – leaving with a signed copy of Bradley’s CD.
Three hours to film one episode
Former contestant Lee Chambers walked away with £5,666 after beating Shaun Wallace back in 2016.
The wellbeing consultant said that the set looks very different in real life and it took around three hours to film the episode.
“You walk onto the set and you see all the cameras and the props and it looks very different than it does on the television.
“There were a lot of pauses. Overall it probably took three hours,” he told MyLondon.
Take two when Bradley gets the question wrong
Lee said that producers would have to stop and film parts of the show again when Bradley worded a question wrong.
He also revealed that parts of the set were moved around – which adds to the time.
He revealed that most of the scenes are filmed separately, except for the cash builder rounds.
What is Bradley and The Chasers really like behind-the-scenes?
London-based Lee said that Bradley was very accommodating, regularly checking if they were happy and comfortable and said that quizmaster Shaun was a “smashing chap”.
Cheque in the post
Lee said he received his cheque in the post a month after the show.
Keep tight-lipped if you win
Psychologist Lee did not mention to anyone that he had won for six months until the gameshow aired on TV.
Speaking about his time on the show, he said: “It was a real experience and really enjoyable. It’s definitely worth applying. Even if you don’t win, it’s a great experience and a great day.”
Takes years to get on the show
Back in 2015, contestant Aaron Greenaway made his appearance, but revealed that he had first applied in 2013.
He and his three other fellow contestants were taken to a room and the rules were explained when they first arrived.
Bradley on set
Aaron praised Bradley for taking the time to get to know each of the contestants between sets.
He said: “He really takes the time to know the contestants, their story, where they’re from – the conversation you see on the end edit where you talk about yourself before facing the cash builder goes on for a lot longer than what you see.”
If you lose, you can watch from the sidelines
Unfortunately, Aaron was beaten by Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan and revealed that he was able to watch his other three teammates take her on from the sidelines with the producers and crew.
Episodes aired years after being filmed
Contestant Rachel Warwick revealed behind-the-scenes secrets from the game show – including what Chaser Paul Sinha said to them that didn’t make the cut.
She appeared in an episode that aired on October 5, 2020, but told fans it had actually been filmed almost two years ago.
In a video shared to her TikTok account, Rachel said: “I applied in September 2018, had the audition in October, filmed the episode in December and it only just aired in October 2020.”
Speaking about the host, she explained: “Bradley is lovely, you don’t get to talk to him that much before and after filming but when I did get to speak to him he is so nice and just as nice as on TV.”
Moving on to her Chaser Paul, Rachel added: “You don’t find out who your Chaser is until the moment they come out and all the reactions are genuine.
“Even Bradley doesn’t know who your Chaser will be so that’s quite exciting.”
Hair, makeup and strict wardrobe rules
She continued: “In terms of hair and make-up, you show up to the studio with your hair and make-up done and then the make-up team touch it up later in the day.
“And you bring five outfits with you that you’re happy to wear and then the costume department pick the best one and make sure nobody is clashing. They decide what you wear.”
No audience
Rachel added: “A lot of people have asked about the studio audience but there is no audience in the studio.
“I don’t know if many people know this; it’s the four contestants, Bradley, the Chaser, and all the camera crew and producers and stuff but yeah there’s no audience…”
What happens during the break?
Rachel answered more questions in the video’s comments – including the tricks of TV filming after one fan asked: “When Bradley says ‘after the break’ did you just continue straight away?”
She answered: “Yes – everything pauses for about 10 seconds and then we kept filming.”
