For 17 years, Bradley Walsh has welcomed contestants into the familiar surroundings of the The Chase studio, turning quick-fire quizzes into one of Britain’s most beloved television traditions. But nothing, not even nearly two decades behind the podium, could have prepared him for what happened when the show packed its bags and headed across Europe.
As The Chase Around The World finally makes its long-awaited debut, Bradley has revealed the unforgettable moment that transformed the ambitious spin-off into something far more emotional than he ever expected.
And according to the presenter, it happened thousands of feet above sea level.
A Whole New Chase Begins
The new series reinvents the classic quiz show by replacing the familiar studio lights with breathtaking European landscapes, historic cities, and a race unlike anything viewers have seen before.
Instead of standing behind podiums answering rapid-fire questions, six teams of contestants must navigate famous destinations across Europe using clues, puzzles, and quiz challenges created by The Chasers themselves.
Bradley Walsh and The Chasers are going global with The Chase Around The World (Credit: ITV)Every decision matters.
Every wrong turn costs valuable time.
And only one team will eventually walk away with the incredible £100,000 prize.
Bradley admits the change completely transformed the atmosphere of the competition.
After spending almost two decades filming inside the same studio, stepping into bustling European streets gave the programme an entirely different energy.
He joked that after being “locked” inside Elstree Studios for 17 years, finally taking the quiz into the real world felt like a breath of fresh air.
Six pairs will be taking on the challenge (Credit: ITV)
Europe Becomes The Ultimate Game Board
The adventure begins in the heart of Rome, where contestants face their very first challenges under the watchful eyes of Anne Hegerty and Mark Labbett.
From there, the race stretches across some of Europe’s most iconic locations.
Athens.
Paris.
Barcelona.
Lisbon.
And finally, one spectacular destination that Bradley says he will never forget.
High above the Swiss Alps sits Piz Gloria, perched nearly 10,000 feet above sea level.
Movie fans instantly recognise it as the famous James Bond location from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
But for Bradley, it became memorable for an entirely different reason.
The Unexpected Moment That Stopped Everyone In Their Tracks
While taking a break during filming, Bradley and the crew sat down for lunch, expecting nothing more than a quiet pause before cameras rolled again.
Instead, something magical unfolded.
Visitors who had travelled up the mountain suddenly began singing together.
Without warning.
Without any performance.
Without anyone asking them to.
Bradley recalled watching the group launch into a traditional yodelling-style song, filling the mountain air with music that echoed across the spectacular landscape.
It wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t scripted.
It simply happened.
For Bradley, that spontaneous performance instantly became one of the defining memories of the entire production.
He described the experience as “extra special,” explaining that the incredible scenery alone would have made the location unforgettable—but witnessing that authentic moment made it even more meaningful.
The Pressure Never Stops
Despite the stunning scenery, contestants have very little opportunity to enjoy the sights.
The race remains relentless from start to finish.
Each team must solve cryptic clues and quiz questions while navigating unfamiliar cities before reaching Bradley at the designated finish point.
The team arriving last doesn’t simply lose valuable time.
Instead, they face one final lifeline.
A dramatic head-to-head “question-off” against The Chasers.
Win, and they stay in the competition while earning an important advantage for the next leg.
Lose, and their adventure ends immediately.
The format keeps the pressure high throughout every episode, combining travel, strategy, speed, and general knowledge into one fast-moving competition.
Six Teams, One Life-Changing Prize
This year’s competitors come from all walks of life, each bringing a unique relationship into the race.
Among those taking part are:
- Mother and daughter Nicola and Maddie.
- Sisters Kati and Amy.
- Newly engaged couple Dilan and Emily.
- Father and son David and Steven.
- Friends Matt and Cerys.
- Father and daughter Ashwin and Nikita.
Every pair begins with the same dream—surviving every stage of the race and claiming the £100,000 grand prize.
Every Chaser Joins The Adventure
Unlike the original studio version, every member of The Chase family plays an active role throughout the journey.
Joining Bradley across Europe are:
- Anne Hegerty – The Governess
- Mark Labbett – The Beast
- Paul Sinha – The Sinnerman
- Jenny Ryan – The Vixen
- Shaun Wallace – The Dark Destroyer
- Darragh Ennis – The Menace
Rather than waiting behind their quiz desks, the famous Chasers become part of the adventure itself, creating clues, setting challenges, and ultimately deciding the fate of the team that finishes last in each leg.
A Fresh Chapter For One Of Britain’s Biggest Quiz Shows
While The Chase has remained hugely successful for years, The Chase Around The World offers something audiences have never experienced before.
The familiar tension of answering difficult questions now collides with the unpredictability of travel, navigation, and real-world problem-solving.
For Bradley Walsh, however, the biggest memory wasn’t the competition.
It wasn’t the famous filming locations.
It wasn’t even standing on one of the world’s most recognisable mountain peaks.
It was a completely unexpected chorus of strangers singing together in the Swiss Alps—a simple, unscripted moment that reminded everyone involved that sometimes the most unforgettable television memories happen when nobody is trying to create them.
As viewers prepare to follow the teams across Europe, Bradley’s emotional recollection offers a glimpse of a series that promises far more than just another quiz show. It is a race packed with adventure, breathtaking scenery, genuine human moments, and the kind of surprises that simply cannot be written into a script.
