Fans of The Chase often imagine Bradley Walsh and the famous Chasers spending every day together—but according to Darragh Ennis, the reality is very different.
The 45-year-old quiz genius, better known as “The Menace,” has finally addressed one of the biggest misconceptions about the ITV hit, revealing that he actually sees the production crew and Bradley Walsh more often than his fellow Chasers.
The Myth Fans Always Get Wrong
Speaking in a recent interview with DublinLive, Darragh explained that The Chase is filmed in blocks rather than throughout the year, giving the cast long breaks between recording sessions.
That means the six Chasers don’t spend nearly as much time together as many viewers assume.
“We don’t see each other that much, but everyone thinks we live in a house together,” Darragh joked.
Instead, he admitted he’s far more likely to spend time with host Bradley Walsh and members of the production team during filming than with the other quiz stars.
From Contestant to Chaser
Darragh’s journey on The Chase is unlike anyone else’s.
Back in 2017, he appeared on the show as a contestant, taking on Paul Sinha in an unforgettable match. His impressive performance caught the attention of producers, and he later made history by becoming the first former contestant ever recruited as a Chaser.
Today, he lines up alongside some of Britain’s best-known TV quizzers:
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Mark Labbett – The Beast
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Shaun Wallace – The Dark Destroyer
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Anne Hegerty – The Governess
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Paul Sinha – The Sinnerman
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Jenny Ryan – The Vixen
Together, they’ve become one of British television’s most popular quiz teams.
A Scientist Before Television Fame
Long before becoming a household name, Darragh built an impressive academic career as a neuroscientist.
He previously worked in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, only stepping away from laboratory research after his research group relocated to Glasgow.
Away from television, he’s also an accomplished author. His 2024 book, The Body: Ten Things You Should Know, explores the science behind the human body in an accessible way for everyday readers.
The Personal Heartbreak That Changed Everything
While Darragh is known for staying calm under intense pressure on screen, he previously revealed there was a time when he found filming The Chase unexpectedly overwhelming.
Following the death of his father from dementia, Darragh admitted he struggled emotionally during recording.
Appearing on Loose Women, he explained that grief affected him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
Normally able to recover instantly after making mistakes during a game, he suddenly found himself unable to cope with the pressure.
“I was broken inside and I didn’t realise,” he said.
The experience became so difficult that producers encouraged him to take time away from filming and seek counselling—support he has since spoken about with gratitude.
A Different Reality Behind the Cameras
Although fans often picture the Chasers as one close-knit group constantly spending time together, Darragh’s comments offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
The team clearly enjoy working together, but because the programme is filmed in concentrated recording blocks, each Chaser spends much of the year focused on their own careers, families and personal projects.
For viewers, they may appear together almost every evening on television—but off camera, life is far less like one big quiz-house than many people imagine.
